53. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
1477. Gromyko asked me to come see him this morning at 11 o’clock. He said he wished take up with me orally situation in New York concerning Soviet Mission to UN. On October 29 and again on November 212 Soviet Delegation had sent notes to USDel protesting against hostile demonstrations by what Gromyko called “anti-Soviet elements” and requesting that measures be taken by American authorities prevent repetition of what he termed “interference with normal functioning Soviet mission to UN.”
Gromyko mentioned that on November 7 windows had been broken in mission and building smeared with paint, that also these “elements” had on some occasions sought forcibly prevent entrance by visitors to Soviet Mission, including representatives other countries. These demonstrations and hostile actions against Soviet Mission New York had every time been heavily played up in sensational form by U.S. press. Despite these two notes U.S. authorities had not taken appropriate measures and these actions which not only interfered with normal work of mission but also threatened security its personnel continued and, according Gromyko, occurred almost daily. If actions were not taken remedy this situation Ministry Foreign Affairs would find it necessary publish facts in this matter, the Soviet notes of protest and, as he put it, failure U.S. authorities take any action. Gromyko said therefore he was asking me request my Government take immediate necessary measures permit normal functioning Soviet Mission in New York, adding Ministry did not wish give publicity this matter here since, he said, it would arouse “legitimate indignation” Soviet public opinion and affect “attitude” of population of capital to Embassy here. I made Gromyko repeat last statement and inquired if that meant demonstrations would be organized against Embassy, pointing out that such demonstrations, including violation diplomatic immunity, had occurred British, French and Israeli Missions here. Gromyko would not go beyond his statement about indignation and attitude Moscow population to Embassy. He emphasized, however, Ministry wished if possible avoid necessity publication [publicity].
I told Gromyko I would of course bring his démarche to attention my Government, but I was sure he realized that right of [Page 158] peaceful demonstration or assembly was protected by law in U.S., but that any acts violence or physical interference with normal work Mission, security its personnel was quite another matter and I was sure necessary precautions had been taken by New York authorities. I asked him if there had been any repetition of window-breaking or other acts similar nature against Mission since those November 7, to which he replied in the negative but said that interference with visitors still continued, and he felt there were many ways interfering with normal work Mission apart from acts of what he termed “hooliganism”.
From what Gromyko said to me apparently Soviets do not intend give any publicity this matter pending receipt of reply to this démarche. Threat of demonstrations against Embassy here in event unsatisfactory reply is unmistakable, but I would strongly recommend that this possibility should not be allowed to affect our reply which should be solely on merits. If such demonstrations occur I can assure Department Embassy will be able take it in stride, although in view emphasis placed by Gromyko on this point in regard Mission New York they might conceivably interfere with normal function Embassy.
I believe in circumstances it would be advisable give prompt reply Gromyko indicating measures that have been taken, which I assume to be case, by New York authorities to permit normal functioning Soviet Mission, and such assurances for future as may be appropriate in circumstances. Gromyko went some length emphasize Ministry’s reluctance to publicize, and I believe chief point of démarche was to remedy situation New York. However, in view Soviet resolution UN against us it is conceivable, regardless nature our reply, Soviets intend to work up some demonstrations as part increasing anti-US propaganda here.
Except for Guthrie, I am not informing members staff and hope Department will keep confidential.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.361/12-1756. Confidential. Repeated to USUN.↩
- See Document 41 and footnote 2 thereto.↩