840.811/8–248: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
Deldu 25. Voice Press. Berkov Dunning IBD NY from Mann.1 Commentary for automatic declassification on receipt:
Coming week’s deliberations Belgrade expected by observers to provide real test of Soviet intentions toward Danubian and other European nations.
Opening meetings international conference to insure freedom navigation on Danube late last week clearly demonstrated Soviet ability to drive through—far as conference voting concerned—any proposal Soviets determined to stamp with approval of their bloc. Whether this power will be abused in most important respects to be seen this week. Conference was assured by Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Vishinsky Friday that Soviets do not wish to suppress proposals of western powers in conference. Speaking on French statement [19]21 convention rights must be protected, Vishinsky Saturday said language of dicta and ultimata must be left outside hall. If Soviets perform accordingly conference may be able benefit peoples who have so much to gain from more abundant Danube commerce.
Delegates wondered if Vishinsky had changed approach since Saturday when he declared minority could take or leave new convention which would set nip in any case and that door through which they came was open for any to leave at any time. Hopes on non-dictatorial attitude were given no great lift either when Vishinsky little later same speech issued dictum telling western powers their alternatives are either to accept decision of the conference and of new convention or be deprived of anything new convention can give.
Soviet voting control of conference and willingness to use it ruthlessly, were established when, under vigorous Vishinsky leadership, satellite regimes refused make English one official language of conference, then also refused recognize that Austria, one of major riparian nations, entitled to full voting status as proposed by US.
[Page 643]In preliminaries, [no] sign of willingness to put forward ideas at variance with Soviets was given by any representatives of regimes in power in Soviet sphere. There was no deviation from Soviet line by speech or balloting. Should such bloc action persist, Soviets carry full responsibility for whatever bad or insufficient results the conference may have.
Showdown on Soviet sincerity, however, will come this week when conference gets into substance of its task of implementing freedom principle to which participating nations committed selves in Balkan peace treaties. What kind agreements Soviets willing make, observers think, will test whether Soviet directors of eastern bloc can muster, any sincere interest in improvement of Danubian economies; if not, they will have proved again they value own complete domination this area too highly to be bothered with European welfare.
US has one basic aim here: to insure a maximum usefulness of great artery’s potential in beneficial European and world trade. Its attitudes have made it clear US convinced abundant trade will aid both east and west. Such benefits cannot be barred to west without denying them to Danubians as well. Any regime so harming riparian peoples would not represent, but flagrantly misrepresent, Danubian interests.
- George A. Mann, liaison officer, Public Affairs, Overseas Program Staff, Office of International Information, Department of State.↩