Office of the Historian
No. 808

611.61/9–2151: Telegram

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

top secret
priority
Moscow, September 21, 1951—4 p.m.

491. Eyes only for the Secretary. If it is not already being done I believe that we might give serious consideration to whether it wld be appropriate and advisable for me to ask to call on Stalin before I leave 6 October.1

[Page 1650]

It is difficult for me to assess fully from here how opportune such a move might be in its effect upon public opinion in the US and elsewhere, or whether it could in fact be turned to our advantage (propaganda or otherwise) whatever its reception by the Soviets. I feel, however, that it is worth study especially as it must be generally known in top Soviet Government circles that I will not return to Moscow even though circumstances my departure are in a formal sense not exactly equivalent to public announcement of termination of my mission here.

With approval of London British Ambassador Kelly, who leaves tomorrow, asked to say goodby to Stalin, but Vishinsky said it was quite impracticable as Stalin was so far away from Moscow. (I am only colleague who knows of Kelly’s request which should be treated very confidentially). Perhaps similar request by US Ambassador (regardless of personality) might intrigue Soviets into acquiescence.

As to topics conversation my thinking would be to make two points: (1) Assurance in calm serious vein that we are not preparing to fight Soviets, elaborating as may seem proper but not apologetic; (2) express hope Mr. Stalin is being fully informed by his sources of hardening of temper of Western world (and US in particular) in face of continued Soviet aggressive and intransigent attitude towards everybody and everything outside Soviet orbit. (Exact phrasing and development above points should be carefully studied).

Of course other topics as you may decide could be mentioned.2

Kirk

  1. During the summer of 1951 it was apparently decided that Ambassador Kirk would serve as an adviser to the U.S. Delegation to the Sixth Session of the U.N. General Assembly in Paris scheduled for November. Kirk subsequently accepted a speaking engagement in the United States for October. Telegram 352 from Moscow, August 29, transmitted the text of a press release issued by the Embassy the previous day:

    “Ambassador Alan G. Kirk has accepted an invitation to be the principal speaker and representative of the Department of State at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner to be held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York October 18, 1951. Ambassador Kirk will take leave of absence from his duties in Moscow for this purpose, departing in early October. Minister Counselor Hugh S. Cumming will be Chargé d’Affaires a. i. during the Ambassador’s absence.” (123–Kirk, Alan G.)

    ↩
  2. In telegram 536 from Moscow, September 28, Kirk stated it was his intention to see Vyshinsky during the latter part of the coming week to take formal leave of him. Kirk planned to confine his conversation to a discussion of local Embassy problems unless the Department of State wished other topics to be mentioned. (123–Kirk, Alan G.)↩