711.5861/10–1050: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
niact
[Received October 9—7:18 p. m.]
844. At 10:45 p. m. Moscow time, Gromyko asked to see me at 11:45 and when told I was not available (in bed with flu) agreed to see Barbour 11:30.
Gromyko stated had note deliver US Government and upon request translation read text to following effect:
On October 8 at 1700 local time two US Shooting Stars F–80’s attacked airfield at Dry River on seacoast 100 kilometers from Soviet-Korean border; Soviet Government protests incident and holds US responsible damages etc.
Barbour stated could not accept note which should properly be addressed UN or UN Commanding General MacArthur. No response inquiry whether such had been done. Gromyko said emphatically that US had no reason refuse note as incident involved US planes and Soviet territory. Barbour replied he had no information incident that note claimed US planes involved and in reply inquiry how known planes came from Korea, opined F–80’s could not come from anywhere else.
Am somewhat mystified why Gromyko should attempt second effort have me accept note endeavoring implicate direct US–USSR relations Korea unless for record, and he was not particularly surprised reaction. However he did not give impression of attaching major importance matter and suspect his effort probably devised be capitalized Lake Success.1
Department pass Tokyo, USUN; repeated information Tokyo niact 34, USUN niact 88.
- The Soviet Government released the text of its note to the press on October 10.↩