FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1946, VOLUME VI



861.24/1-1946: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary
                             of State

SECRET                          Moscow, January 19,1946-4 p. m.
                                 [Received January 19-9: 48 a. m.]
   184. Re Deptel 93, January 17, 6 p. M.83 We here feel strongly that
our Government should not make any more isolated economic arrange-
ments with the Soviets until we have an over-all understanding with
them about outstanding economic matters. This applies to such mat-
ters as the satisfaction of American complaints concerning seizures of
American property in areas under Soviet control and Soviet refusal
to collaborate [in the rehab?] ilitation of Europe as well as to consult
or inform us on their unilateral economic actions in areas under their
control. I also have in mind general lend-lease settlement and con-
duct of economic discussion under article VII, which Russians have
thus far evaded.
  I feel, therefore, that Russians in Washington should be told that
we have no objection in principle to making available to them surplus
property on 3(c) terms but that we can consider this only when an
understanding has been reached regarding at least the manner in
which outstanding economic questions between the two countries are
to be adjusted.
                                                       HARIMMAN

861.24/1-1946
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Eastern European
  Affairs (Durbrow) to the Under Secretary of State (Acheson)

                                 [WASHINGTON,] January 21, 1946.
  MR. AcHESON: While I understand from Mr. Collado84 that you
indicated your desire for a reply to the Secretary along the lines of
the attached draft telegram,85 I believe that I must indicate to you
the reasons why EE considers that it would be inadvisable from a
long-range point of view to grant an unconditional credit of
$100,000,000. to the Soviet Government for the purchase of surplus
property. We realize, of course, that it is in the short-range interests
of the United States Government to get rid of as much surplus prop-
erty as possible.
  Despite our many protests and requests for coordinated action re-

  85 The same as telegram 520 to London, supra.
  84Emilio G. Collado, Deputy on Pinancial Affairs to the Assistant Secretary
of State for Economic Affairs.
' Not attached to file copy of memorandum; for the telegram as sent, see
infra.



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