Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

861.24/1555: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, June 29, 1943—10 p.m.
[Received July 1—11:25 a.m.]

761. To Stettinius from Faymonville.

1. Two subjects are considered by Mikoyan and highest officials of Soviet Government to be of special importance and Mikoyan requests your assistance in securing immediate favorable action.

2. First subject is hydroelectric station equipment which has been under discussion for past 18 months. Mikoyan states that hydroelectric station equipment is necessary for successful operation of munitions industry in Urals and Central Asia. He states that WOB⁵ ordered execution of preparatory work on these Soviet requisitions. Mikoyan’s assistants in Washington inform him that since Lend-Lease Administration now refuses approval for inclusion in Third Protocol work is at a standstill. Mikoyan assures you that no matter what terms you may approve for Third Protocol and no matter what tonnage becomes available for Soviet shipments, equipment for hydroelectric stations will still have highest priority and will positively be loaded ahead of all other cargo. Mikoyan further states that if you have difficulty in securing necessary metal, it will be possible to reach an agreement whereby Soviet Government will consent to decrease metal deliveries to extent necessary to furnish the metal reserve necessary for hydroelectric station program. He therefore asks for immediate approval of requisitions and immediate issue of orders to proceed with procurement.

3. Second item requiring immediate action is barges and tugs for use on Caspian Sea. Order concerns 22 oil barges tonnage 42,000 tons; 20 dry cargo barges tonnage 38,000 tons; and 7 tugs. Mikoyan states that Admiral Vickery⁶ in December 1942 confirmed prior agreements to the effect that six assembled barges of the same type as are being prepared for United States be turned over to Soviet Government under Lend-Lease. Mikoyan understands that delivery of first barges was to commence in June 1943 and subsequent deliveries at rate of three units monthly. In April Mr. Hopkins requested Commissar to include barge requirements in requests for Third Protocol and this was done. But Mikoyan now understands that even now no barges have been definitely assigned to Soviet Union and no decision has been reached as to furnishing barges. Mikoyan states that barges are absolutely essential for transit operations in connection with munitions arriving through Iran. He states that former Caspian fleet has suffered severely from enemy action, that railways cannot be further overloaded and that new carrying capacity must be obtained from United States. Construction within Soviet Union at local ship yards [he] states to be impractical because they are already overloaded with munitions work but assembly of American-made parts can be successfully accomplished. If shortage of metals is reason for delay Commissar says he will consider same arrangements as for electric station equipment: Decreasing Soviet allotments by the amounts necessary to furnish metals required for barges and tugs.

4. Mikoyan asks that these requests be brought to the attention of Major General James H. Burns in connection with Commissar’s last conversation with General Burns. At the time of General Burns’ departure from the Soviet Union,⁷ Commissar did not know of unfavorable action on these two subjects.⁸ [Faymonville.]

Standley

5. Presumably WPB (War Production Board) was intended.
6. Rear Adm. Howard L. Vickery, Deputy War Shipping Administrator.
7. General Burns left Moscow on May 29.
8. In telegram No. 527, July 6, 10 p.m., the Department informed Ambassador Standley that the request for hydroelectric stations had been approved for all 21 power units. No mention was made, however, of the Soviet request for barges and tug boats.