740.00119 EW/1–1045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
Moscow, January 10, 1945—2 p.m.
[Received January 10—8 a.m.]
[Received January 10—8 a.m.]
91. ReDepts 50, January 9, 3 p.m.
- 1.
- The British Chargé has already presented to Molotov the British proposal that the reparations article or its annex state that 1938 prices plus 10% to 15% will be used in pricing reparation deliveries. [Page 970] Molotov has categorically refused as he does not with [wish] to have any change in wording from the Rumanian and Finnish armistices. As there is no doubt the Hungarians already know of the pricing arrangements made in connection with reparations from these two countries it does not seem to me that much is gained by the British proposal and I feel that it would be a mistake for us to involve ourselves in this proposal at this late date.
- 2.
- I have concluded our negotiations with Molotov on the reparations clause as explained in Embassy’s No. 88, January 9, 7 p.m. I have not given Molotov, however, the exact wording of our reservation. Under all the circumstances and in light of the experience in Rumania I believe it would be preferable if we were to delete the word “economic” from our reservation. I request the Department’s authority to do so.
Harriman