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

840.6362/7–1845: Telegram

No. 1040
The Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Thorp) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Clayton) and the Adviser on German Economic Affairs (Despres)¹

secret

[Washington,] July 18 [1945.]

52. For Clayton and Despres from Thorp. Proposed coal directive, as revised in Aide-Mémoire to the British dated July 10 [11],² copy of which you have with you, has not been submitted to Russians, nor has any comment been received from British, and therefore program is not yet in effect. Blaisdell and Winant suggested from London that directive, and proposal to use ECO as allocating body for surplus coal available in Germany for Western Europe should be referred to Russians in connection with Potsdam Meeting agenda.³ This suggestion came after you left, and it was felt that presentation to Russians here would not reach Moscow in time for any action. We also considered asking Moscow Embassy to present both directive and ECO proposal to Russians but decided that since Harriman and members of his staff would be coming to Berlin, the matter could more appropriately be raised there. Therefore no communication on coal has been given to Russians. Please advise if you wish action taken.

1. Sent to the Secretary of State at Babelsberg over the signature of Grew.
2. Document No. 432, printed in vol. i.
3. See vol. i, document No. 200.