740.00119 Control (Rumania)/7–2345: Telegram
No. 807
The Ambassador in Italy
(Kirk) to the Acting Secretary of State1
3030. Air Vice Marshal Stevenson at Bucharest has telegraphed to Foreign Office along lines of Schuyler’s M 12262 and M 12273 of July 14 to AGWar with regard to changes in working of ACC Rumania. Stevenson met with Susaikov on July 20, at which time he was given note showing changes in working of ACC Rumania proposed by Moscow as result of end of European war. These proposed changes included regular meetings under chairman or deputy chairman with Schuyler and Stevenson, to take place every ten days or so to settle important matters. Directives involving principles would be given to Rumanian Govt by chairman or deputy after discussions with British and American representatives. Representatives of Britain and America would also participate in general conferences of heads of sections of a legation character [sic]. Commissioners [Page 702] or their representatives would in addition take part in mixed commissions appointed by chairman on ACC matters. Both missions would have free movement, with ACC being informed of dates and routes. Personnel of missions would be matter for mission heads to decide. Plane clearance would be arranged according to names and dates approved by ACC, chairman deciding on special cases. ACC working rules would continue as notified to London and Washington on Sept 20 except for aforementioned changes.
In commenting on this new Moscow charter, Stevenson says he thinks it must be admitted it is very favorable provided the Russians are acting in good faith. However, based on his observations of Russians while in Bucharest, he believes there is nothing to be lost by maintaining the pressure. He believes Russian stand in Balkans may be weakening as result of Anglo-American protests and therefore feels following points should be aired [asked?] for: There should be no restrictions on entrance and exit of aircraft provided ACC are notified in advance of routine and special flights both of which have a seasonal change, and with respect to directives of ACC, agreements with British and American representatives should be mobilization [sic] before directives of any sort are given to Rumanian government.
At end of meeting Stevenson arranged with Susaikov that first new meeting of ACC should be on July 25. Stevenson expressed hope that new machinery would work in good faith and Susaikov thought this would be case. Stevenson opines that until new machinery is in motion it cannot be assumed new administration will be as tripartite as first two points of new directive would indicate. Susaikov also met with Schuyler who has informed Stevenson that all this is mere window dressing to give impression Russia intends to discharge major undertakings in good faith when she has little actual intention of doing so. Stevenson does not feel he can diverge from this point of view because “with Russians handsome is as handsome does” and results must be awaited. He thinks Russian interpretation may result in continued unilateral direction policy and executive in Rumania unless agreement is reached on submission of no directives to Rumanians without prior coordination with British and American representatives.
- The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 126 of July 25 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 800.00 Summaries/7–2545).↩
- Document No. 317, printed in vol. i.↩
- Document No. 318, printed in vol. i.↩