Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

661.00/6–750: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret

Moscow, June 7, 1950—2 p. m.

1578. From defensive tone and labored nature Izvestiya article June 4 cabled Embtel 1579, it appears that Ceylon Daily News treatment original Izvestiya article and cartoon re Buddha’s tooth has hit Soviets in sensitive and vulnerable spot.² Whatever twisted double talk Soviets may indulge in on question, their attitude towards religion (e.g., in present case Izvestiya alludes to respect of Soviet people for religious beliefs and customs of other peoples, the attitude of Soviet public towards unity of all people of good will irrespective of their religious convictions, et cetera) the Soviet regime’s hostile attitude toward religious organizations and beliefs is so well known and documented that no amount of verbal acrobatics can protect Soviet propagandists against counterattacks on this subject.

While Embassy doubtful that any religious convictions as such are insuperable barrier against spread of Communist influence, it does recommend that all appropriate steps be taken through our information facilities to expose such Soviet pretentions re religion as in present case, in order that confused and unwary adherents to given religions may not entertain any illusions on this score.

Embassy suggests that Embassy Colombo be furnished with issues of “Soviet affairs notes”³ on Soviet anti-religious campaign and other materials which might be useful in bringing to attention of people of Ceylon a true picture of the position of religion in USSR. Considering Communist threat to which all southeast Asia now exposed and fact that large part this area populated by Buddhist faithful, informational activity along this line might also be useful in other Asian countries.

Kirk

1. This telegram was relayed on June 7 to London at 10:35 a. m. and to Colombo at 11:00 a. m.
2. Not printed. The original Izvestiya article of January 27 had commented on a conference of Foreign Ministers of Commonwealth countries which had been held in Colombo, Ceylon. British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin had visited a Buddhist temple in Kandy, which contained the religious relic of Buddha’s tooth. The Ceylon Daily News on April 1 had countered with an article alleging that the Izvestiya article had been disrespectful toward the relic. (961.61/6–750)
3. “Soviet Affairs Notes” were usually weekly circular airgrams sent to several foreign posts containing brief, summarized items considered as possibly foreshadowing Soviet trends.