740.00119 E.W./1–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20—5:30 p.m.]
192. ReEmbs 142, January 15, 10 p.m. Prior to yesterday’s meeting with the Hungarians Balfour informed Molotov that his Government agreed to all the amendments adopted at the meeting on January 15th with the Czechoslovak and Yugoslav Ambassadors. He stated that the British Government would be ready to approve that the Czechs and Yugoslavs be included in the membership of the ACC for Hungary provided identical treatment be accorded to the Greeks and Yugoslavs in Bulgaria.
He continued that his Government was equally ready to approve the present arrangement whereby Molotov would inform the Yugoslav and Czech Ambassadors in writing that representatives of their respective Governments would have access to the ACC on all questions affecting their interests, it being understood that Molotov would also write similar letters to the Greek and Yugoslav Ambassadors advising them that it had been decided that their Governments would be permitted to send representatives to Sofia to be given similar access to the ACC there. Balfour concluded that if the Soviet Government preferred that the Yugoslav and Czech Governments be granted full or restricted membership on the Commissions in both Hungary and Bulgaria it was his Government’s understanding that their representatives would not enjoy better positions on either of the Commissions than the American or British representatives.
Molotov was noncomittal. He suggested that the entire question of Greek and Yugoslav participation in the ACC for Bulgaria be discussed at a later date.
Molotov has sent me for my approval copies of draft letters to the Czech and Yugoslav Ambassadors stating that it was considered advisable that their Governments should send representatives to Hungary where they would have access to the ACC on all questions concerning their Governments. I have informed Molotov that I saw no objection to the letters. I understand that Balfour will also not object to the letters on condition that similar ones be sent to the Greek and Yugoslav Ambassadors in connection with the ACC for Bulgaria.