840.4016/12–1346: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received December 13—2:24 p.m.]
4387.Text of letter from Dekanozov23 dated Dec 10 follows:
“Mr. Durbrow24 in his letter of Aug 21 of this year25 informed me that Govt of the USA wished to complete repatriation of any remaining persons in shortest possible period and that for the completion of the repatriation of Soviet citizens commander of armed forces in Austria was prepared to give permission to Soviet Repatriation Mission to enter American zone of Austria. Three and a half months have already passed since the date of the above assurance, but according to information received by the Ministry, Soviet representatives up to the present have not been admitted by American authorities for the carrying out of the work assigned to them in the repatriation of Soviet citizens located in American zone of Austria. According to latest communications, the representatives of American command in Austria continue to delay solution of this question stating that question of admission of Soviet representatives into American zone of Austria can not be considered until Dec 15, 1946.
“As you will recall, during our meeting with you on Nov 18 of this year the question of the unsatisfactory progress of repatriation of [Page 195] Soviet citizens from the American zones of occupation in Germany was touched upon by me. At that time you expressed readiness to advise your govt to instruct the appropriate American authorities in these zones to permit Soviet representatives to visit the camps in which Soviet citizens were located in order to carry out repatriation work among these citizens.
“Taking into consideration the situation which has developed, and bearing in mind your readiness to render the necessary assistance in speediest solution of this important problem, I express hope that measures will be taken by you leading to issuance of necessary instructions to representatives of the American Military Commission in Austria to permit the entry of Soviet repatriation representatives into American zone of occupation without delay in order to carry out necessary work, and also to assure the establishment of necessary conditions which would make it possible to successfully carry out the work connected with return to the homeland of Soviet citizens located in American zone of Austria.”