706.5571/9–744: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)45

2148. In response to an inquiry dated August 29 Department has addressed following self-explanatory communication to Belgian Embassy Washington: [Page 1203]

“The Secretary of State acknowledges the receipt of the memorandum no. 4089 (D. 8248) of August 29, 1944 from the Belgian Embassy46 requesting the advice of the United States Government in respect of the situation presented, now that Soviet forces have liberated Bucharest,47 by the fact that the Swiss Legation in charge of Belgian interests in Rumania is the representative of a Power which has not established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government.

It is the assumption of the Department of State that as the Soviet Government is an ally of the Belgian Government it will be willing to permit the Swiss Legation at Bucharest, which is accredited to the Rumanian Government, to remain at least as custodian of Belgian interests in Rumania until such time as the Belgian Government may be able to arrange for its own representation at Bucharest. It is assumed that a similar situation will prevail in respect of the protection of United States interests in Rumania.”

Hull
  1. Repeated on the same date to London as telegram 7236 with the following introductory sentence: “For the Embassy’s information the following has been sent AmEmbassy, Moscow.”
  2. Not printed.
  3. August 31.