711.61/1–3149: Airgram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kohler) to the Secretary of State
A–98. The Embassy’s translation of Stalin’s replies to questions submitted to him by Kingsbury Smith, General European Director of the International News Service, published by the Soviet press on January 31, 1949, is transmitted herewith for the Department’s record.
The Replies From Comrade Stalin to Questions Put by the General European Director of the American Agency “International News Service” Mr. Kingsbury Smith, Received on the 27th of January 1949
First Question Would the Government of the USSR be prepared to examine the question of publishing a joint declaration with the Government of the United States of America, confirming that neither Government intends to resort to war against the other?
Reply The Soviet Government would be prepared to examine the question of publishing such a declaration.
Second Question Would the Government of the USSR be ready to adopt jointly with the Government of the United States of America measures aimed at implementing this Peace Pact, such as gradual disarmament?
Reply Of course the Government of the USSR could cooperate with the Government of the United States of America in the adoption of measures aimed at implementing the Peace Pact and leading to gradual disarmament.
Third Question If the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France agree to postpone the establishment of a separate West German state until the convocation of a session of the Council of Foreign Ministers devoted to the examination of the German problem as a whole, would the Government of the USSR be prepared to remove the restrictions introduced by the Soviet authorities on communications between Berlin and the Western zones of Germany?1
Reply If the United States of America, Great Britain and France observe the conditions stipulated in the third question, the Soviet Government sees no obstacle to a removal of transport restrictions provided, however, that the transport and trade restrictions introduced by the three powers are removed simultaneously.
Fourth Question Would you, Your Excellency, be prepared to meet President Truman in any place acceptable to both parties to discuss the possibility of concluding such a Peace Pact?
[Page 563]Reply I have previously stated that there is no objection to a meeting.
- For further details about this question regarding the Berlin blockade, see editorial notes, vol. iii, pp. 666–667.↩