Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

033.6111/5–1354: Telegram

No. 621
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union¹

top secret
priority

Washington, May 13, 1954—6:55 p.m.

716. Eyes only Ambassador from Secretary. Considerable thought has been given here to statements by Marshal Zhukov in Pravda on occasion armistice commemoration.² You will recall that there was respect apparently on mutual basis between Zhukov and the President. Suggestions here have been made regarding possible communication by President to Zhukov, possibly on tenth anniversary of opening of second front in Normandy on June 6. Also suggestion has been made as to ascertaining possibility Zhukov visit. Purpose would be possibly to open up some channel of communication which might be less inflexible than Molotov appears to be. Would appreciate your reactions.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Dulles, cleared by Barbour (EUR/EE), and signed for the Secretary by Jeffrey C. Kitchen. Attached to the source text is a brief typewritten note of May 13 from Robert R. Bowie (S/P) to Dulles which reads: “Here is a draft of cable to Bohlen. It was prepared by Mr. Barbour after he and I talked. He thinks it is desirable to give this much detail to Bohlen about our thinking.” It cannot be determined whether the text printed is the same as that submitted with Bowie’s memorandum.
2. See footnote 3, infra.