Notes on an October 1945 conversation between Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs V. M. Molotov and American Ambassador to the Soviet Union W. Averell Harriman on the American proposal for a control mechanism for Japan.
October 30, 1945
Proposal regarding the Control Mechanism for Japan
This document was made possible with support from Blavatnik Family Foundation
SECRET
US Ambassador Mr. Harriman
presented [this] to V. M. Molotov
on 30 October 1945
Translation from English
PROPOSAL REGARDING THE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR JAPAN.
1. An Allied Military Council under the chairmanship of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (or his deputy) will be instituted for the purpose of consulting with the Supreme Commander with regard to the implementation of the surrender terms and the occupation for Japan, and also with respect to additional directives relating to them.
2. [The following] will be members of the Allied Military Council: the Supreme Commander (or his deputy), who will be the chairman and the member from the US; a member from the USSR; a member from China; and a member from the British Commonwealth of Nations.
3. The Supreme Commander (or his deputy) will issue all directives relating to the implementation of the surrender terms and the occupation of Japan, and also with respect to additional directives relating to them. In the event that urgent demands of the situation require it, he will consult with the Council in advance with respect to orders associated with questions of principle. His decisions on all question will be final. In all cases the actions will be accomplished under observation, and also through the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, who is the only executive authority of the Allied Powers in the region of his command”.
Moscow, 30 October 1945
Translated by Potrubach
Distributed to:
Cdes. Stalin,
Molotov,
Beria,
Malenkov,
Mikoyan,
Vyshinsky,
Dekanozov,
Lozovsky, and
the USA Department
1324-M
2-ns
The American proposal for the Allied Military Council in Japan, given to Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs V. M. Molotov during his October 30, 1945, meeting with Ambassador Harriman.
Associated Places
Associated Topics
Related Documents
Document Information
Source
RGASPI, f. 558, op. 11, d. 98, ll. 0026. Contributed by Sergey Radchenko and translated by Gary Goldberg.
Original Archive
Rights
The History and Public Policy Program welcomes reuse of Digital Archive materials for research and educational purposes. Some documents may be subject to copyright, which is retained by the rights holders in accordance with US and international copyright laws. When possible, rights holders have been contacted for permission to reproduce their materials.
To enquire about this document's rights status or request permission for commercial use, please contact the History and Public Policy Program at HAPP@wilsoncenter.org.
Original Uploaded Date
2019-07-12
Language
Record ID
208874
Donors
Blavatnik Family Foundation