Office of the Historian

55. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union1

Washington, December 20, 1956—3:10 p.m.

751. Your 1477.2Dept has approached New York Police Commissioner for full report. As much of following preliminary report as you desire may be used as basis preliminary reply Gromyko:3

Picketing has taken place at 680 Park Avenue one hour daily since Oct. 24. At all times during picketing adequate detail of uniformed police present plus plainclothes detectives mingling with demonstrators to prevent disorder. Policy keep sidewalk lane clear next to building. During times when conditions normal in vicinity building, two uniformed patrolmen are assigned there at all hours. Special additional radio patrol car assigned to precinct instructed give special attention 680 Park Avenue.

Soviet UNDel reported interference with Soviet diplomats entering building October 26. Investigation revealed misunderstanding. Incident did not in fact take place, but Soviet officials were apprehensive that might.

October 28 two women and one man arrested and charged with having thrown soda bottles at building breaking one pane glass. Representative Soviet Delegation declined press charges. Case dismissed for under United States law complaining witness is required for conviction.

At November 7 reception approximately 150 police were on hand but were unable prevent minor damage. Soviet Del expressed general satisfaction police protection to United States Del in note dated November 9.4

December 11 two Hungarian pickets arrested for assaulting one Soviet male officer who was accompanied by three Soviet women in vicinity building shortly after leaving it. However, again charges were dropped because complaining witnesses failed to appear.

You may wish again point out to Gromyko that although peaceful assembly and demonstrations permitted under laws of United States, New York Police Department has assured Federal Government that it will give continued special attention to 680 Park [Page 161] Avenue to prevent any disorderly or unlawful acts threat, and will take prompt and proper police action should any violation of law be observed or brought to their attention in that location. Such unlawful acts, of course, include damage to persons or property, and police responsibility includes assurance of freedom of movement entering or leaving building.

In your discretion you may also add in such language and with such emphasis as you may consider useful that adverse publicity these matters in United States due to wide spread revulsion among all elements of American people to developments in Hungary and that New York Police Commissioner has come under considerable criticism for large sums expended in protection Soviet Delegation.

FYI: Department believes Gromyko démarche related to Striganov call on Murphy Dec. 17 to reject our protest over Soviet interference with access to Legation Budapest.

Copies above police reports and further to be received this subject will be pouched for Embassy’s use. Summaries of latter will be cabled. Department is attempting avoid publicity this matter.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.361/12–2056. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to USUN. Signed for the Secretary by Robert O. Blake, Acting Officer in Charge of USSR Affairs, Bureau of European Affairs.↩
  2. Document 53.↩
  3. Much of the detailed information that follows was supplied to the Department by the Mission at the United Nations in telegram 532 from New York, December 18. (Department of State, Central Files, 310.361/12-1856)↩
  4. Not printed.↩