Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON April 22, 1946 SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS COUNCIL OF Dunn believes that the basic objectives of the Russians 210 FOREIGN on the one hand and the British, French and ourselves on MINISTERS the other with respect to the peace treaties are at present so divergent that the possibility of reaching agreement in Paris lies chiefly in the hope that the Russians may feel it essential to improve their relations with the British and ourselves and their world standing. Dunn concludes that whether the Soviets will agree to make the concessions necessary to permit the conclusion of treaties will largely depend upon (1) what specific advantages they would receive, such as reparations, ships, etc., (2) the effect of the treaties on the Soviet position within the ex-enemy states, and (3) the effect of the treaties upon Soviet relations with the British and our- selves. The British have informed Dunn that they will probably 210CFM'S favor acceptance of the Greek Government's request that the question of northern Epirus be discussed by the Foreign Ministers in Paris. 051 - FRANCE Caffery reports that Foreign Minister Bidault and other MRP Ministers want to stay in the Cabinet even though many MRP deputies are opposed to their remaining. The Communists will support Bidault on the Ruhr question and on other questions when it serves their purpose. 051 - GERMANY Murphy believes the US representative on the Berlin Kommandatura may have to take a definite position soon on the question of the Kommandatura's jurisdiction over political parties because the settlement of the issues involved cannot be post- poned without endangering the whole position of the Kommandatura and democratic processes in Berlin. 051 - GREECE The Minister of Foreign Affairs told our Charge of his fears that extremists in his party and minor Royalist groups will attempt to force an immediate plebiscite. Our Charge believes that the Minister's proposal to hold the plebiscite early in September is acceptable. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NARS, Date 11-10-10