740.00119 Council/9–2445: Telegram
The Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union (Stalin) to President Truman 82
I have received your second message regarding the Council of Ministers.83 I have received today a reply from Mr. V. M. Molotov who informed me that he is acting in accordance with the decision of the Berlin Conference and considers that this decision should not be violated. On my part, I have to remind you that at the Berlin Conference neither a decision was adopted nor was it agreed among us that the members of the Council who did not sign the terms of surrender could participate in the discussions but could not vote. I consider that the position of Molotov to adhere strictly to the decision of the Berlin Conference cannot make a bad impression and should not offend anybody.
- The text of this message was transmitted to the Secretary of State by President Truman in White House message No. 351, September 24; the President also asked the Secretary to inform Prime Minister Attlee that he was in agreement with Attlee’s message No. 11, September 23, p. 331.↩
- Reference is to the President’s message No. 348 of September 22, to Stalin, p. 329.↩