DAILY SUMMARY - 1946/04/16

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Daily Summary Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01068489
• Document Creation Date: September 11, 2018

Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - Historical Programs Staff 30 August 2018
Luc,
ENT/AV
GENERAL
36 APR 1940
US opposes removal of Iranian case --Stettinius proposed to express to
the Security Council on 16 April the US view that (a) the Council has
the power to continue the Iranian question on its agenda despite Iran's
request for withdrawal, and (b) it would be unwise ifor the -Cotincil to
drop the question even though both parties have so requested. Stettinius
also planned to remind the Council that Iran's sudden reversal of posi�
tion occurred "while Soviet troops were still physically in Iran."
Embassy Tehran on 15 April expressed to the State Department
its hope that the Council would be able to "read between the lines" of
Ala's request to the Council to remove the Iranian case from the agenda
and would realize that "it was the result of duress."
(Stettinius talked informally with Ala twice on 15 April. Ala
first declared that he was not sure he would execute Qavam's instruc-
tions and was considering resigning. Later Ala said he had recon-
sidered and would not resign, but would present the Iranian statement
to the CounciL)
In response to Q/tvamas inquiry of 11 April (asking whether the
US could influence the Council to maintain a "favorable attitude" toward
Iran, if the ease were withdrawn), Secretary Byrnes on 12 April had
instructed Embassy Tehran to inform Qavam that if he now indicated a
willingness to have the ease dropped, (a) it would suggest that Iran
desired the Council's aid merely to further Iranian-Soviet negotiations
and not because the presence of Soviet troops threatened international
peace; (b) the Council might consider it should not engage in protracted
and acrimonious discussions in order to uphold the integrity and Inds-
pendence of a country which is unwilling to maintain a firm stand in its
own behalf; and (c) Iran can hardly expect any Government to give serious
consideration to any future appeals. Byrnes advised Qavam (a) to allow
the Security Council to decide whether the case should be dropped, (b) to
stand firm in respecting the Council's previous decision and (c) to report
to the Council on 6 May as requested.
Qavara, with evident misgivings and after long discussion,
informed Embassy Tehran on 13 April that he would follow the recom-
mended course (see Daily Stunmary of 15 April, item 1). Qavam appeared
very reluctant to risk offending the Soviets, because he feared that they
might withdraw from Iran as agreed but (a) arm the Azerbaljards and
encourage them to resist the Central Government, and (b) when Govern-
ment and Azerbaijani forces clashed, assert the right to intervene to
protect Soviet frontiers. Qavam gave the Embassy's representative no
indication that he would direct Ambassador Ala to state that he had
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
biUDECLASSIFICATION ACT/OR
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - Historical Programs Staff 30 August 2018
i yr' L.
IDEN7
� complete confidence in the Soviet pledge to wi aw. The Embassy
believes that Qavam's pro-Soviet propaganda minister Firuz persuaded
the Premier to authorize that statement.
2. British oppose t over additional Italian shi to USili---Dunn
reports that the British a would consent to Soviet reten on of Italian
fleet units now in Soviet possession, but (b) do not favor giving any.
additional Italian ships to the USSR. They desire, if possible, to limit
the increase of Soviet Naval strength in the Black Sea and fear that the
Italians will scrap their ships rather than deliver them to the USSR,:
3. British policy regard1n Security Council consideration of Spanish issue.
Cadoganhas advised Stettinius that the British oppose the fityrnes sugges-
tion that the Security Council invite a representative of the Spanish Gov-
ernment to attend its deliberations on the Spanish question. The British
have instructed Cadogan to agree that the Spanish matter be placed on
the Council's agenda, but to move that no action be taken if, as the
British anticipate, "convincing" new evidence is not presented.
4. US o� ioses substantial re ration demands on Ital. -Secretary Byrnes
in a message to Dunn has reiterated e strong US opposition to substan-
tial reparation demands on Italy and has stated that the US will not make
material concessions on this point, even at the cost of failure to reach an
agreement with the Soviets on the Italian Treaty. Byrnes 'points out that
the US is giving economic assistance to Italy and heavy reparations would
necessitate one of two unacceptable courses: (a) termination of such
assistance or (b) indirect payment by the US of Italian reparations to a
third country.
EUROPE-AFRICA
� 5. RUMANIA: US rotests confiscation of American iro. -r --The State
Department has instructed eneral chuyler, 1 �elegate ACC, to make
strong representations to the Soviet Chairman ACC concerning the
recent confiscation of American property under the nationalization pro-
visions of the Rumanian agrarian reform law. The note denies the Soviet
contention that this is purely a Rumazdan affair, and points out that (a)
until peace is signed, the terms of the Armistice prohibit the confisca-
tion by Rumania of United Nations property, (b) it is the responsibility
� Of the USSR to insure Rumanian fulfillment of the Armistice terms and
TOy SEC
CO DENTIAC
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - Historical Programs Staff 30 August 2018
,DIRDEN I Ilk11
�
(c) the USSR should therefore inform the Rumanian Government that
its agrarian reform law is null and void insofar as United Nations pro-.
perty is concerned.
6, POLAND: Bevin suggests joint US-British demarche--According to
Lane, Bevin has suggested joint US-British action to prevent the Warsaw
Government from creating conditions in Poland which would (a) make
free elections impossible and (b) establish a permanent Communist
dictatorship. Bevin proposes (a) a joint demand that the Polish Govern-
raent fulfill its pledge (given to Bevin at Potsdam) for elections early
this year by immediate announcement of an election date, and (b)a strong
protest over the activity of Polish security police against the opposition
parties, and the violation of the Moscow Agreement concerning the corn
position of the Polish cabinet (see the Daily Summary of 8 April, item 4).
Bevin feels that (a) such action should be taken before 26 April,
when the Polish electoral law is expected to be formulated, and (b) the
Soviet Government should not be consulted during _the preparation of the
proposed joint representations, since the Soviets "would merely seek to
delay or reconsider our proposals."
7. BELGIUM: Views on Germany's future--Ambassador Kirk reports, on .
the basis of conversations with responsible Belgian officials, that the
Belgians would welcome (a) the voluntary dissolution of the Reich into
historic states without forced artificial dismemberment, and (b)
prolonged economic control by the Allies of the Ruhr and Rhineland
areas without political separation. Foreign Minister Spaak has strongly
represented to the US, British, and French Embassies his,Government's
desire for a hearing when the forthcoming Paris Conference of Foreign
Ministers takes up German issues.
8. UNITED KINGDOM: Military circles fear budget reduction--Embassy
London reports that military circles have expressed "some concern"
over Chancellor Dalton's statement that the Government's social pro-
gram can ,be financed only by reducing military expenditures.
9. USSR: Press cenorshin relaxes--According to Ambassador Smith,
Soviet censorship of US press reports from Moscow has shown a marked
relaxation during the past two weeks (see Daily Summary of 7 March,
item 4).
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - Historical Programs Staff 30 August 2018
2oWT1AU
FAR EAST
10,, JAPAN: General MacArthur, in a message to the US renresentative
on the Far East Commission, contends that the Commission is not
empowered to pass upon the revision of the Japanese constitution.
� The message asserts that it is inconsistent with established US pol-
icy to take "formal action on any constitutional reform finally
adopted by the Japanese people," provided that such reform is in
agreement with "existing Allied policy," He asserts that "a planned
and concerted attack" upon US control of Japan is being carried on in
the Commission and urges that the US position be protected in every
possible way, including the employment of the veto power in the Com-
mission.
On 16 April Bishop, Acting_ political Advisor to MacArthur,
urged the State Department to give "every possible support" to the
Ma,cArthur position.
11. N.E.I.: Agreement on withdrawal of British troops--Embassy London
has been informed that the British have agreed to withdraw their troops
from the N.E.i. as fast as Dutch replacement troops arrive, One
Dutch replacement division, now in training, will not arrive in the
N.E.I. until late 1946 or early 1947.
12. CHINA: Loan announcement de.ferred--The State Department, prior
to General Marshalls departure from Washington, agreed to defer
announcement of the 500 million dollar Export-Import Bank credit for
China as �requested by US authorities in Chungking.(see Daily Summary
of 15 April, item 9).
Approved for Release: 2018/09/05 CO1068489