Wednesday, 27 October

In the afternoon, the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador Baydur visited me. He has been in the Soviet Union for many years and is well-known to be pro-Soviet. He seemed to be quite honest.

Iranian National Day. The Iranian Ambassador had a reception at the Embassy.

At 8.30 Molotov invited us to the Red Army Hall to watch the musical and dance performances of the Red Army. During the break Foreign Minister Eden told me that if the government’s full authorisation to me to sign didn’t arrive in time, it would give people excuses to oppose China taking part in the agreement.  Therefore, he asked me to cable the Generalissimo again, and said that he belonged to those who wished eagerly that China could join. Ambassador Kerr was very anxious too, so I said I would definitely cable again. Molotov especially demonstrated his enthusiasm towards me and I thought the future was bright. After I returned to the Embassy I cabled the Generalissimo and Minister Song again.