871.00/12–1345: Telegram
The American Representative in Rumania (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—6:58 p.m.]
981. ReDeptel 645 of December 11. Through the channel I use in getting messages to and from the King I sent him word this morning [Page 645] that he might expect the US Govt’s reply to his letter within a few weeks and that it is hoped that no action will be taken by him in the meantime which would prejudice the possibility of a favorable solution of the Rumanian crisis.
My contact told me that Genl Susaikov has now followed Mr. Tatarescu’s exploratory talks concerning the formation of a Regency Council in discussing this subject with Rumanians. My informant believes that the question will become critical if the King maintains his present attitude until the end of the month when plans must be discussed for the traditional New Year’s reception. If the King lets it be known that on that occasion he will not receive the Govt my contact believes the Govt with full Russian support will set up a Regency Council which will receive them.
Repeated Moscow as 288.
[Secretary of State Byrnes, British Foreign Secretary Bevin, and Soviet Foreign Commissar Molotov, with their advisers, met in conference at Moscow, December 16–26, 1945. Generalissimo Stalin also participated in the conference. In the course of the conference, consideration was given the questions of the procedures for the preparation of a peace treaty with Rumania, the recognition of Rumanian Government by the United States and the United Kingdom, and the request by King Michael for advice from the Three Powers regarding the broadening of the Rumanian Government. The agreements reached on these subjects were recorded in the communiqué on the Moscow Conference released to the press December 27, 1945. For text, see volume II, page 815. For documentation regarding the consideration given Rumanian subjects during the conference, see the records of the conference, ibid., pages 560 if., especially the records of the meetings of December 18, 12:15 p.m., December 20, 3 p.m., December 22, noon, December 23, 5 p.m., December 24, 3:15 p.m., and December 25, 5:15 p.m., pages 643, 692, 727, 750, 761, and 781, respectively.]