tions and grant the specified freedoms of the press, assembly, etc. I
doubt the sincerity with which these assurances will be given on the
part of the present members of the Govt. I assume that recognition
will not be given until we are satisfied that the specified freedoms
have in fact been put into effect. I recommend further that the steps
to be tak-en by the Govt in connection with the elections is [be?] cur-
rently scrutinized and objection made if they are not satisfactory.
  I assume that even if we recognize this Government we would not
necessarily recognize the Government resulting from the election
unless we were reasonably satisfied with the conduct of the election.
If we maintain this position throughout and allow it to be known
to the Govt at the time of recognition, I believe there is a better chance
that the election may conform more closely to the Govt's undertakings.
  Vyshinski plans to leave Bucharest immediately after agreement
on the candidates is reached. I expect to stay on in Bucharest at least
one day after Vyshinski's departure to have an opportunity for con-
sultation with Schuyler 9 and Berry.'0
  Sent to Dept as No. 5 repeated to Moscow as No. 2.
                                                      [HARRIMAN]

871.00/1-646: Telegram
The Ambassador to the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary
                             of State

SECRET                       BUCHAREST, January 6, 1946-10 p. m.
URGENT                           [Received January 7-12: 13 a. m.]
  18. Secret for the Secretary from Harriman. Vyshinski's maneu-
vers in the last 2 days have given little encouragement to the hope that
the Soviets intend to carry out the Moscow agreement in full good
faith. The Peasant Party selected Ion Mihalache and the Liberals
Constantine Bratianu," nephew of the party leader. There is reason
to believe that the Govt would have accepted these candidates but
Vyshinski behind our backs evidently instructed the Govt to reject
them.
  The Commission had a somewhat stormy meeting with the mem-
bers of the Govt in which the Govt attempted to defend their rejection'
of these candidates.12 The principal charge levelled against Mihal-
ache was that he had volunteered to fight the Russians in July of 1941

9Brig. Gen. Cortlandt T. Van R. Schuyler, U.S.A., Chief, United States Repre-
sentation, Allied Control Commission for Rumania.
   Burton Y. Berry, United States Representative in Rumania.
   Constantin (Bebe) Bratianu.
 'The memorandum concerning this meeting, which was held on January 4,
 1946, at 8 p. m., is included in the American Official Record of the Rumanian
 Commission in file 871.00/1-146.



557



RUMANIA