661.6431/11–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:20 p.m.]
3910. British Embassy states British Foreign Office sent telegram following sense to British Embassy Washington November 18.
Please discuss following with State Dept and report (Embtel 386674). Soviet reply to formal British Embassy Moscow inquiry re Hungarian Rumanian Bulgarian trade agreements entirely unsatisfactory and some interim reply is essential even though Foreign Office still considering its long-term position in re these agreements and Soviet economic policy in southern Europe generally. Until it secures texts agreements Soviet Govt can continue indefinitely to put it off with statements of unsupported evidence. Foreign Office therefore plan to concentrate on securing texts. It proposes take note of Russian assurance British legitimate interests not affected by agreements but to point out it must press very strongly for texts be communicated to it in order to judge for itself. Propose adding that if agreements in fact harmless to British interests it perceives no grounds refusal Russian representative on Rumanian Hungarian Control Commissions to communicate texts or discuss matter. British should then reiterate contention that in absence peace treaties one Ally not entitled unilaterally to conclude treaty with enemy state which migh prejudice interests of other Allies. Further point that British prewar rights and interests which were covered under most-favored-nation treatment are categorically restored by armistice agreements should also be made.
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