740.00119 Control (Rumania)/3–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 21—4:05 a.m.]
829. A letter has been addressed to Molotov, in accordance with Department’s 605, March 15, 11 p.m., stating our view that co-belligerent status should not be granted to Rumania at this time and that no decision on this matter should be made except after consultation. Coming after receipt of the categoric rebuff by the Soviet Government for our proposal for general tripartite consultation on Rumania, [Page 519] I doubt that our views on the question of co-belligerency will carry much weight with the Soviet Government. There is a possibility that our representations may even encourage the Russians to proceed independently to recognize Rumania as a co-belligerent in order to demonstrate the independence of their policy.