740.00119 Council/9–2845: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at London
8627. Secdel 143. Deptel 7798 Sep 11,79 Deptel 8200 Secdel 85 Sep 19, and Praha’s 352 Sep 14 repeated to you as 49. With reference to plan for withdrawal of US forces from Zecho I propose with your approval to submit to the White House the following memorandum and proposed message from the President to Stalin.
The text of the memorandum for the President is as follows:
“I recommend that the attached message to Stalin respecting the withdrawal of American and Soviet forces from Czechoslovakia be sent by you.
The War Department states that the plans for the reduction of the number of occupation troops in Europe require the complete withdrawal of American forces from Czechoslovakia by November 15, 1945. At the present time there is stationed in Czechoslovakia the equivalent of two divisions, which is considered by the War Department to be the number necessary to police the border between the American and Soviet forces. General Eisenhower has estimated that 300,000 Soviet troops are stationed in Czechoslovakia and that the Soviet Government intends to increase this garrison to 500,000 during the coming winter. It is our understanding that the Russian forces live off the land, and furthermore, the Soviet Government has asked the Czechoslovak Government to provide the necessary supplies to accommodate this force.
American troops have been retained in Czechoslovakia at the request of the Department of State in the hope that a simultaneous and complete withdrawal of both Soviet and American forces might be effected. The efforts of President Beneš to have the Soviet forces withdrawn have not been successful, and the Soviet promise to reduce their garrison in Czechoslovakia to eight divisions by July of this year has not been carried out.
The proposed message to Stalin was suggested by President Beneš to Ambassador Steinhardt as the most effective means to accomplish a Soviet withdrawal, since the Czechoslovak appeals to Soviet military authorities have not obtained results. I consider that a unilateral withdrawal on our part without attempting to obtain similar action by the Soviets would be detrimental to the democratic and moderate elements in Czechoslovakia. Consequently, we should consider giving full publicity to our efforts if the Soviets refuse to withdraw or if they agree to withdraw but utilize familiar delaying tactics to keep their forces in Czechoslovakia after our withdrawal.”
The text of the proposed message from the President to Stalin is as follows:
[Here follows text of proposed message, which was identical with message as sent, quoted in telegram 357, November 2, to Prague, printed on page 506, with the exception that the proposed message set [Page 496] November 15 as the date for the withdrawal of American forces while the message actually sent fixed the date at December 1.]
On receipt of your approval, I shall submit the memorandum and the proposed message to the White House.80