861.24/10–2849
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Country Specialist in the Division of Eastern European Affairs (Truesdell)
| Participants: | Mr. V. I. Bazykin, Chargé d’Affaires Soviet Embassy |
| Mr. B. K. Sokolov, First Secretary Soviet Embassy | |
| Mr. Frederick Rernhardt,1 EE | |
| Capt. Wm. O. Floyd, Navy Department | |
| Mr. G. E. Truesdell, EE |
Mr. Bazykin opened the conversation by stating that the Soviet Naval experts had left the United States on October 7 and were now undoubtedly back in Moscow. He stated that he could handle the matter for his government and would transmit the substance of any discussions immediately to Moscow.
Mr. Rernhardt recapitulated Mr. Bazykin’s conversation with Mr. Webb of October 19, 1949 wherein Mr. Bazykin had advised of Soviet inability to return the icebreakers to Bremerhaven by December 1 because of unusual ice conditions in the Siberian Arctic and had requested that the agreement of September 27, 1949 be modified to the effect that delivery of the icebreakers be made at a northern Japanese port in early December. Mr. Reinhardt stated that the Department of the Navy had considered the Soviet proposal and had come to the conclusion that it would be practicable to accept delivery of these vessels at a port in the Puget Sound area. He said that the Department of the Navy had reached this conclusion as a result of the observation that a Puget Sound port was closer to the Soviet Arctic than would be [Page 751] a Japanese port. Mr. Bernhardt suggested that Mr. Bazykin report these conclusions to Moscow and that upon receiving the agreement of his government to this proposal an exchange of notes could be arranged to modify the agreement of September 27.
Mr. Bazykin then asked why a port in Northern Japan would not be suitable. Captain Floyd replied that the United States had no facilities in this area. Mr. Bazykin pointed out that Japan was under United States control through the United States Commander of the Allied Occupation forces. He restated the United States counterproposal and agreed to present it to his government. He then asked what reasons the United States had for not accepting delivery in a Northern Japanese port. Captain Floyd pointed out again the lack of facilities and stated that transfer in this area would be similar to transfer upon the high seas. Captain Floyd then asked what objections the Soviet Government had to delivery in Puget Sound. Mr. Bazykin did not answer this question but stated he would report the United States position to his government.
Mr. Reinhardt pointed out that an agreement had been consummated which the Soviets now wished to modify. He pointed out that Puget Sound was nearer to the Arctic, that the United States has facilities to take over the vessels in that area, and that the United States has already gone more than half way in accepting the ports of Bremerhaven and Yokosuka in the existing agreement. Mr. Bazykin stated in rebuttal that the Soviet Government could not be blamed for the weather conditions which prevented return in accordance with the agreement. Captain Floyd then pointed out that another view of this matter would be that the Soviet Government had not made ample allowance for ice conditions in timing the departure of the vessels for Bremerhaven. Mr. Truesdell pointed out that in the wartime lend-lease programs for the Arctic area, the month of October was not considered suitable for Arctic navigation. Mr. Bazykin stated in conclusion that he would report the matter to Moscow and would advise the Department as soon as a reply was received.
- G. Frederick Reinhardt was officer in charge of U.S.S.R. affairs and Acting Director of the Office of Eastern European Affairs.↩