Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVI, Eastern Europe; Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

21. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France⁰

Washington, September 25, 1963, 3:22 p.m.

1495. Deptel 1378.¹ Following is position to take in consultation with UK and France on question of raising Western Legations in EE to Embassy status.

Since Hungary special case for US we not in position at this time to consider raising status of our mission at Budapest. US has special problems in its relations with Hungary which will require some time to solve or to make definite progress towards solution before question of elevating mission of practical significance. In any event we anticipate that it would be necessary after solution of some of these problems and as reflection of progress in regularization of relations to send Minister to Budapest before elevating mission. Thus US may be obliged to hold back on this step in Hungary when other Western governments are preparing to go ahead. If they agree time is favorable for doing so, US cannot ask them to wait for US action.

US prepared to elevate missions at Bucharest and Sofia at appropriate time. We think it advisable as means reinforce the importance and effect of action in Eastern Europe for US, UK and France to move about the same time in raising status of missions in Rumania and Bulgaria.

Apart from factor of international atmosphere which now appears favorable for this step believe two principal considerations relevant in determining time of such action: (1) progress in solution of bilateral problems and in expansion of bilateral relations; and (2) extent to which EE country asserting more independent position toward Soviet Union. On these bases missions at Bucharest should be elevated before those at Sofia and US expects to take this step first at Bucharest. It is hoped UK and France might agree.

Nevertheless we are not ready to move yet at Bucharest. Consider it necessary before this step taken at either Bucharest or Sofia to make further progress in solution of outstanding bilateral problems. These include problems of dual nationals, separated families, accommodations (chancery buildings at Bucharest and Sofia, residence site of CM and housing at Sofia) and consular convention. We expect to make progress in solution these problems at Bucharest as our economic relations with Rumania develop over the next months. We cannot forecast any definite schedule of progress but would hope to be in position possibly within a year to arrange with Rumanians mutual elevation of missions. The step with Sofia would come some time thereafter.

We propose that the three governments consult in the future with a view to acting in concert concerning the rank of their missions at Bucharest and Sofia. The subject should also be raised in NATO at a time considered appropriate by the three governments so that the NATO countries generally might move together in elevating their Legations in Rumania and Bulgaria

Ball

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 17 W Eur-E Eur. Secret. Drafted by Vedeler, cleared by Davis and Thompson, and approved by Harriman. Repeated to London, Sofia, Bucharest, and Budapest.
1. Telegram 1378, September 18, reported the French desire to discuss the elevation of diplomatic representation in Hungary. (Ibid.)