Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

861.24/10–1949

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Under Secretary of State (Webb)

confidential

[Washington,] October 19, 1949.

Participants:	Mr. Vladimir I. Bazykin, Counselor, Soviet Embassy
	Mr. Webb, Under Secretary
	Mr. Thompson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs

Mr. Bazykin stated that during the piloting of icebreakers “North Wind”, “West Wind” and “South Wind” through the Arctic regions in the westward direction in order to transfer them to the United States authorities in Bremerhaven, the said icebreakers, because of an exceptionally heavy ice situation, created in October of this year in the Eastern region of the Arctic, have been gripped in solid ice. Because of this reason the transfer of the icebreakers in October–November of 1949 to the United States authorities in the port of Bremerhaven (Germany), as it was provided for by the agreement of September.27, cannot be realized.

He therefore suggested that the agreement be modified to propose for the delivery of the icebreakers in northern Japanese ports at the beginning of December. I said I would have to get in touch with our naval authorities and would let him know.

Mr. Thompson pointed out that our naval authorities had found the delivery of naval ships to northern Japanese ports impracticable.

Mr. Bazykin said he had no instructions other than to propose delivery to northern Japanese ports.