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Otago Daily Times, Issue 25964, 3 October 1945, Page 5

Molotov’s Contention

The conference then began to frame the protocol. Mr Molotov immediately raised the same point about the exclusion of those Ministers whose Governments were not directly concerned with specific points. Mr Molotov contended that the discussions on the Italian and Finnish treaties were void because countries not concerned were represented at them. This meant that practically the whole proceedings were negatived. Mr Bevin immediately consulted Mr Attlee, and Cabinet felt it was impossible to concede the point that if 1 a mutual agreement varied the Potsdam instructions it should not be upset by one party’s actions. Other Governments consulted by telepnone and cabie oy the Foreign Secretaries took the same view. Mr, Molotov exchanged long cable messages with Generalissimo Stalin during the week-end, but was equally unable to change his opinion, and a complete deadlock developed. The adoption of the Russians’ contention that only Governments directly concerned should be present at the discussion on treaties would mean that at none of the discussions on the contemplated peace treaties would all five Foreign Ministers be present. Most of the Ministers felt that such a position struck at the whole council’s setup, and it was useless to continue. The Times diplomatic correspondent says the council made no progress at all over the Balkan States, which means, in effect, that no immediate progress was made towards closer Allied understanding throughout Europe.