740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–2346: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy)
1589. Dept concurs in comments urtel 1690 July 10 re USFET directive on forcible repatriation Hungarian, Rumanian and Bulgarian displaced nationals. In this connection see also Deptel 121 July 16, 1945 to Hoechst.85 US tradition of protecting political refugees and this Govts opposition to mass expulsion such persons affirmed in my speech July 15 on CFM meeting.86 As indicated by Warren (London’s [Page 175] 6931 July 23 sent Berlin 57687) US position at all UN meetings has been opposition in principle to forced repatriation. Question of repatriation ex-enemy nationals, however, other than those persecuted for racial, religious or political reasons has never risen.
Modified proposal (urtel 1733 July 16) would seem acceptable in principle. However, we assume that before any new directive is issued, it will be referred here for approval as we and War Dept both interested in procedure by which policy concerning DP’s is executed.
Sent Berlin, rptd Paris for Matthews, Budapest, Bucharest, and Sofia.88a
- This telegram contained the Department’s views on detainees from ex-satellite countries suspected of war crimes in a country formerly occupied by Germany or in Italy. In general, it was felt that they should be turned over to the national authorities of their own states on request by the latter unless they were to be tried or used as witnesses before an international tribunal. Ex-satellite detainees not included in these categories were to be released after interrogation and assisted in reaching their homes. (740.00116 EW/7–1645)↩
- For text of Secretary Byrnes’ speech, see Department of State Bulletin, July 28, 1946, p. 167. For documentation on the Council of Foreign Ministers, see volume ii.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Repeated to Paris as 3656, Secdel 519, Budapest as 737, Bucharest as 491, and Sofia as 237.↩