Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

840.48 Refugees/8–2349: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

secret

Moscow, August 23, 1949—1 p. m.

2134. Embtel 1881, July 29.¹ First positive confirmation deportation Jews obtained by Embassy officer in conversation with residents Odessa, he considers reliable. They said till Odessa Jews having relatives USA or England deported to Siberia June or July this year. They were not allowed time to sell possessions. Unknown whether Jews with relatives other countries also deported. Only one synagogue remains open Odessa. Remaining Jews afraid to talk with Embassy officer any subject.

Sixty six box car loads Armenians also deported on charge collaboration with Germans during war (at this late date). If husband or wife Russian left in Odessa thus dividing families. Spanish Republicans also evacuated but not to Siberia.

Officer told in Dzaudzhikau² that Greeks there heard of Tiffis deportations and sold all goods in expectation same fate but as of August 8 had not been moved.³

Please protect source.

Sent Department 2134; repeated Athens 60, Ankara 21, Tehran 51, Tel Aviv 13.

Kirk

1. Not printed.
2. Known as Vladikavkaz until 1939, the capital of the North Ossetian Autonomous Republic on the northern side of the Caucasus mountains.
3. In 1949 the Embassy had kept the Department informed of mass deportations of Greeks, and other peoples, from the Caucasus region. Many of these reports are under the Department of State file number 861.00.