Page 1274

FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1946, VOLUME I
560.A.L./1-1646: Telegram
The Charge in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
SECRET                          Moscow, January 16, 1946-3 p. m.
                                             [Received 3: 36 p,. m.]
  148. Although it is now well over a week since request was made I
have still been unable to arrange for appointment with anyone in
Foreign Trade or Foreign Affairs Commissariats to present explana-
tions which were subject of my 46 January 7, noon. This delay means,
I think, that Soviets are subjecting our "proposals" to very careful
study. Following are some of questions which I think are particularly
occupying their attention:
  1. They will wish to be entirely clear concerning relationship of
tasks of proposed preliminary meeting and of later general conference
to those of Economic and Social Council of UNO. I think it likely that
they would prefer in general to pursue internatl economic questions
through this latter council which, particularly if Internatl Labor Or-
ganization should be admitted to membership, would appear to present
a more suitable medium for promulgation of Soviet internatl economic
aims, which are so often political and tactical in nature, than would a
special organization for trade and employment designed to enforce
general and permanent principles. Indeed I think it possible that they
may try to have entire question of preliminary talks on reduction of
trade barriers submitted for prior consideration by Economic and
Social Council before they will take a definite position.
  2. Overall objective of increase of internatl trade as means of pro-
moting peace and security and assuring general employment is not
one which would naturally find ready enthusiasm in Soviet circles.
Soviet instincts are autarchic. They view internatl trade for themselves
a means of increasing Soviet strategic economic strength and of achiev-
ing economic independence. They would never admit that there was
any problem of employment at all in Soviet Union or that employment
problem in capitalist countries was susceptible of solution by increased
foreign trade.
  3. With respect to provisions relating to state trading, Department
is of course correct in noting that they have accepted in past certain
minimum purchase commitments. These were however with individ-
ual countries and did not necessarily reveal anything of total Soviet
plans for foreign trade. Even though a global commitment would not
require Soviet Government to increase its trade beyond point to which
it had otherwise planned to carry it, it would be equivalent to publi-
cation of annual [apparent garble] import plan, and suggestion of
entering into any discussion of such a commitment is obviously one
1274