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

601.6111/10–454: Telegram

No. 629
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

secret
priority

Washington, October 4, 1954—5:57 p.m.

Topol 394. US planning place in effect approximately October 15 certain travel restrictions on USSR, Hungarian and Rumanian diplomats and official representatives in addition those presently in force.² Motivations this action are 1) concern caused by stepped up intelligence collection activities by Soviet orbit personnel in US and 2) fact that US representatives in Soviet bloc particularly in USSR have been subjected increasing harassments in recent months in connection with travel. Effect these harassments has been to significantly reduce travel opportunities made possible by ostensible relaxation travel controls in 1953.

Restrictions will be established so as not to exceed strict reciprocity. Polish and Czech representatives not subject restrictions view absence similar restrictions on US personnel stationed those countries.

In addition present requirement for prior notification travel outside 25-mile zone from center Washington, new restrictions will set up number US interior areas which will be closed except for train travel through or air travel over them and closed zone 15 miles in depth along Canadian and Mexican borders. There will be special closed cities in open areas and open cities in closed areas.

Tass correspondents in Washington and Amtorg officials in New York will also be subject new restrictions. If queried re application restrictions to Soviet bloc UN personnel you may say this question still under consideration.

In accordance with past procedures notify NAC earliest of these pending restrictions. If discussion develops re reasons for US actions believe preferable emphasize point (2) first paragraph. If queried re point (1) you may say restrictions are only one of means being developed by US authorities to cope with increased activities by Soviet orbit personnel in collecting large amounts unclassified materials of intelligence value (maps, aerial photos, industrial data etc.). Actions we will take this regard will continue to be based on reciprocity however. (FYI we do not feel advisable become involved in detailed discussion at present in NAC of this problem. We do not plan inform NAC of other actions we will take to counter Soviet activity which will include restrictions on photography and sketching and control over access to unclassified Government publications. End FYI.)

Should it be required you may state that if USSR, Hungary or Rumania should alleviate restrictions affecting our personnel US restrictions will be similarly modified.

Dulles

1. Repeated for information to Moscow as 234. Drafted jointly by Stoessel (EUR/EE) and Joseph J. Wolf, NATO Advisor (EUR/RA); cleared in EUR/EE, EUR, RA, and SCA; and signed for the Secretary by Stoessel.
2. The Department of State on Jan. 3, 1955, announced certain additional travel restrictions on Soviet, Hungarian, and Rumanian diplomats and officials; for text of the announcement, see Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 31, 1955, p. 193.