DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Memorandum of Conversation
DATE:
i i m
SUBJECT:
PARTICIPANTS:
Mr. V. A. L. Hallet, Counselor Of the British
Mi-. Pierrepont Hpffat, Chief, ©ivlsipn of
European Affairs.
COPIES TO:
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C4T <7
«*. 1—1493
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tf^fi». jpjQ^uring a conversation today with M»» Mallsty #X
Counselor of theBritish Embassy, Kr. Moffat referred
to the inquiry/Hide British &rVtftp°M'M» of the
Secretary of State — October 9 regarding the willing-
ness of tfe4re--Go vernment, in the possible event of a _
rupture of diplomatic relations between the British and
Soviet Governments), to undertake the representation of
f
British interests ih Moscow*
Mr. Moffat informed Mr. Mallet that th&e Government
was quite willing, provided the Soviet Government would
give its assent, to take over British interests in the
Soviet Union in the event of a rupture of diplomatic
relations between Great Britain and the Soviet Union.
He
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6
He stated, however, that It was possible that the
SoTlet Government would not agree to the intoroots of
one government In the Soviet Union being represented py
another government*   On several occasions in the past
when the American Embassy in Moscow had made inquiring
of the Commissariat for Foreign Affaire regarding the
welfare of citizens of countries which had no diplomatic
relations with l!he Soviet Uriion^TTt M been informed
categorically that the Soviet Government was unwilling
to discuss with the Embassy matters concerning the pro-
tection of citizens or interests of a third country.
Mr. Moffat also pointed out that even if the Soviet
Government should in principle assent to the represents-
tion by the Aiiericam Government Of British interests In
the Soviet Union, conditions in that country wore such
that the Embassy would be seriously handicapped in its
efforts to proteot such interests*   The American Embassy
at Moscow at the present time found it extremely diffi-
cult effectively to protect American citizens and inter-
ests in the Soviet Union, and it seemed likely that It
would encounter even greater difficulties in represent-
ing the interests of another country.