Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume I

711.60d/7–1545

No. 320
The Second Secretary of Embassy in the United Kingdom (Thompson) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Dunn)¹

secret

[Babelsberg,] July 15, 1945.

Memorandum

Subject: Finland

Mr. Dunn: … Stalin informed Churchill on June 14² that he saw no reason to defer the restoration of diplomatic relations with Finland, which was fulfilling the armistice conditions.³ It will be recalled that the Soviets had earlier informed us that they did not consider that the resumption of diplomatic relations with Finland before the resumption of relations with Rumania and Bulgaria would be justified.⁴

Since we have never been at war with Finland⁵ we are in a better position to resume relations than the British and Soviets and it is believed that we should do so as soon as this can be accomplished without seriously offending the Russians. At this meeting it would appear advisable to take any opportunity that may present itself to clear the way for this action.

1. Printed from the ribbon copy, which is unsigned.
2. See Stalin’s Correspondence, vol. i, p. 363.
3. i. e., the terms of the armistice (to which the United States was not a party) signed at Moscow, September 19, 1944. Text in British and Foreign State Papers, vol. cxlv, p. 513.
4. See document No. 285, footnote 5.
5. The United States severed diplomatic relations with Finland on June 30, 1944, but at no time during World War II did it declare war on Finland.