711.61/11–1946
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Director of the Office of European Affairs (Matthews)
[Received January 20, 1947.]
Dear Doc: Yesterday I had a lengthy discussion with Mr. Dekanozov during which I covered a number of the matters which have been hanging fire between this Mission and the Soviet Foreign Office. I will summarize these in the following paragraphs.
A. Radio Broadcasting Facilities for American Broadcasters. Although I discussed at length the result of arbitrary action in breaking this link between the Soviet Union and the United States and its effect on outside public opinion, it was quite obvious that Dekanozov was not in a position to make any statement, and equally obvious, I am afraid, that there will be no change in the point of view of the Soviet Government.67 All that Dekanozov would say was that the position of the Soviet Government in this matter would be clarified in more detail within a few days, and he reiterated several times that those who referred to an iron curtain or who believed that the Soviet [Page 810] Government did not give out all newsworthy information were not friends of the Soviet Union. No amount of argument would produce anything else. There will probably be no more radio broadcasting although it is possible that radio-telephone facilities, if they can be made adequate, will be permitted.
B. Soviet Wives. I confined my conversation to the two oldest cases on our docket, Hirshfield and Wallace. Dekanozov promised to take these cases in hand himself, and I think will do what he can in the matter.
C. Consulate at Leningrad. I fired the opening gun of what I hope will be the final engagement on this question by reminding Dekanozov of our previous requests and quoting to him a statement made by Zhdanov before the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. in 1938 to the general effect that it was inconceivable that a great state like the Soviet Union should not have as many consulates in foreign countries as the Soviet Foreign Office allowed in the Soviet Union, and reminding him that the United States took exactly the same point of view. His reply was that the Soviet Government had no inclination whatever to limit the number of consulates which the United States had in the Soviet Union except as this limit was enforced by lack of facilities and housing. I think he got the point that either we get a consulate or they lose one or two, although I handled this as tactfully as possible. I really do not expect a decision on the matter until Molotov returns, but we will continue the pressure.
D. Housing. The question of consulates naturally led to a review of our housing situation which has been most discouraging. However, Dekanozov stated that he was carrying on an active war with the head of the Repatriation Commission which is occupying the Kropotkinski Building, and that he expected to win. He referred again, however, to the displaced persons question, and I was surprised at the bitterness which he showed on this subject. I really believe we can, without weakening our position, do something to relieve the tension, and I strongly recommend that Soviet representatives be authorized again to visit camps which house individuals whose origin is in territory now a part of the Soviet Union, whether we consider these people to be Soviet citizens or not.
The Soviet official who makes this visit should be authorized to present the Soviet case, and should be given facilities, such as a small office or desk space, where he can receive prospective immigrants and answer their questions. At the end of his visit, those who wish to return to or immigrate to the Soviet Union should be moved to a staging area in preparation for their return trip.
I know this has been done once before, but I believe that even though it constitutes an annoyance to the occupation authorities it [Page 811] should be repeated. Capital is being made here of statements that it is anti-Soviet propaganda which is discouraging these individuals, particularly persons from the Baltic States, from returning to their country of origin. Unquestionably there is a certain amount of this propaganda, most of it well founded and some of it emanating from individuals who have gone back to their homes and have subsequently returned because of the conditions which they found there. It is also very possible, as Dekanozov alleges, that a few of our local officers discourage the return of Baits who might be disposed to take advantage of the Soviet offer. I really do not think that further proffers by Soviet representatives would produce much result, but it would place us in a stronger position if they were permitted to repeat the effort. The same applies to Austria. Will you let me know at the earliest opportunity what you decide to do about this?
E. Imports of Food. We had a rather acrimonious discussion on this subject, and it is quite obvious that the Soviet attitude is due to their belief, undoubtedly well founded, that there is some leakage of commissary stores to the open market. They also have been suspicious because of the large size of our last two shipments. We did not spare each other’s feelings while talking this over, but his final statement was that he thought we [he?] would have no further reason to complain if I would assure him that I would take personal action to keep our imports down to the amount which we actually require.
Incidentally, I asked to see Stalin, and Dekanozov told me that he had not yet returned to Moscow. I think this is true as we picked up an item in the Soviet press patting the communications people on the back for having in an incredibly short time completed the construction of a telecommunications network between Sochi and Moscow.
Other than the above, there is nothing further interesting here except that one of the boilers at Spaso House has collapsed and we have no hot water, we are out of laundry soap and the laundry is at a standstill, it is cold as Hell and snowing.
Sincerely,
- In telegram 4172, November 19, 1946, 11 a.m., from Moscow, Ambassador Smith requested that Robert Kintner, Vice President of the American Broadcasting Company, be told that a long conversation had been held with Dekanozov over the withdrawal of radio facilities for American broadcasters. Ambassador Smith summed up the prospects: “In spite of pointing out all of the disadvantages which would result from elimination of this contact between Soviet Union and United States and bad effect on American public opinion, best I could get from him was statement that position of Soviet Govt would be clarified in more detail within few days. He obviously is not in any position to make either definite or favorable statement, and I am not optimistic that these facilities will be restored much as I regret to say so.” (811.42700(R)/11–1946)↩