Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Europe: Political and Economic Developments, Volume IV, Part 2

No. 794

032/7–2751: Telegram

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

confidential

Moscow, July 27, 1951—7 p.m.

147. Re Embtel to Dept 139, July 26 rptd London 20.² Seven Quakers with Bailey chief spokesman spent 3 1/2 hours with Malik and interpreter yesterday. Meeting friendly and based on Quaker memo addressed originally to Gromyko whom Quakers haven’t seen. Malik asked how influential were Quakers in UK. Quakers stated they were non governmental but had seen Morrison prior to departure who wished them luck and told them Brit Govt as well as Brit people wanted friendly understanding with Sov Union, this despite failure Paris meeting and Brit determination to strengthen its defenses.

Quaker memo made 7 points (full text by despatch³) which Malik answered in detail. Chief points of Quaker memo based on similar action by West:

(1) Wld USSR restrain hostile propaganda vs West and permit publication responsible statements peace aims Western Govt;

(2) Willingness permit measured intercourse on non pol basis between USSR and West.

(3) Is USSR willing, under promise reciprocal action by West, to pledge non-intervention in action or spirit, directly or indirectly, in internal affairs non-Commie countries?

(4) Willingness share in radical, internatl-controlled disarmament;

(5) Cooperation in world plan for mutual econ aid under UN;

(6) Facilitate admission membership UN countries at present excluded;

(7) Willingness enter great power conversations.

Malik answered each question in detail citing documents and speeches of Sov leaders, especially Stalin. In summary he stated:

(1) USSR does not indulge in hostile propaganda vs West, there is anti-warmongering law in USSR, Sov Union tried in UN to gain acceptance for measure which would penalize dissemination of false news; no comment on second half of point 1;

(2) USSR of course willing, consider large number fon dels recently visiting USSR;

(3) USSR never has and never will mix in internatl affairs other countries; Stalin told Roy Howard revolutions not for export. Bailey asked, what about Czecho in 1948 and Malik replied history of Czecho goes back to Munich. This remark not amplified.

(4) USSR willing, had made many statements regarding disarmament or reduction armaments in UN;

(5) USSR desirous extend mutual economic relations, wanted to increase E–W trade;

(6) USSR desires that all 13 applicants for membership UN be admitted;

(7) USSR willing enter conversations with certain powers, had participated Paris meeting successful outcome of which thwarted by USA assisted by UK and Fr.⁴

At meeting with USSR Min Educ Kairov (Embtel 139) Bailey asked whether Sov children taught to love their enemies. Kairov replied certainly not, Sov children are not taught to love enemies of the Sov state. According to Brit Emb this remark was indiscretion by Kairov who apparently under impression his Quaker visitors were members of Anglo Sov Friendship del.

At 2 hour meeting with Morosov, editor publication News, Bailey gave page by page critique of first issue suggesting magazine include articles by fon non-Commies, that it be objective, not merely mouthpiece Sov fon policy. Morosov did not reply and there was no give and take but Morosov was affable and friendly. With Morosov was assistant editor of News, woman Sergeeva. (Emb has little info about her but believes she was at San Francisco during UN charter conference.)

Bailey also saw Korneichuk who discussed peace (not opera librettos). Today Quakers will see Boris Grekov, academician and member fon affairs comite Supreme Sov. They leave tomorrow apparently disappointed at not seeing Stalin.

Kirk

1. Repeated to London.
2. A seven-member delegation from the British Society of Friends, headed by V. Gerald Bailey, visited the Soviet Union, July 16–28, at the invitation of the Soviet Committee for the Defense of Peace. Telegram 139 reported on the “busy schedule” of the delegation. One group had visited Leningrad and another had visited Kiev. The delegation had met with Patriarch Aleksei, RSFSR Minister of Education Kairov, Literary Gazette editor Simonov, and News editor Morozov. The telegram reported that, according to British observers, the Quaker delegation was well-pleased by its reception but was frankly unwilling to subscribe to one-sided resolutions and appeals by Soviet peace organizations. (032/7–2651) The delegation’s visit was extensively reported upon in the British press afterwards. Summaries of press accounts and clippings are in file 761.00/8–2751.
3. Text of the memorandum was transmitted to the Department of State under cover of despatch 76 from Moscow, July 30. (032/7–3051) The text was released to the press by the delegation following its return to Britain.
4. The text of a copy of rough notes on Malik’s comments to the Quaker delegation was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to despatch 78 from Moscow, July 30. (032/7–3051)