James F. Byrnes Reports on the Big Three Foreign Ministers Conference at Moscow

James F. Byrnes, United States Foreign Minister reports on a meeting of the Big Three Foreign Ministers in Moscow which include Robert Anthony Eden of Britain and Vyacheslav Molotov of the Soviet Union.

He discusses the progress made towards negotiating terms for World War II peace treaties. He mentions conflicts with Bulgarian and Romanian governments as the US is pushing for democratic elections.

Next, he reports on the next steps for rebuilding the Japanese government, terms of surrender and policies with China. The United States would like to include Japan in Axis negotiations and develop a far eastern conference between countries in that area.

Byrnes reports that negotiations on the study and use of atomic energy are underway and recommendations will be presented to the United Nations as well as policy on Allied troops still stationed in Iran.

"We must realize, that international conferences are not intended to give individual statesmen the opportunity to achieve diplomatic successes. They are intended to be useful in the adjustment of delicate social and human relations between states with many common interests and many divergent interests. In international affairs as in national affairs, conflicting interests can be reconciled only by frank discussion and by better understanding".

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150667
Municipal archives id: LT2603