Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume V, Soviet Union

257. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State⁰

Moscow, October 30, 1962, 7 p.m.

1142. Deptel 1024.¹ During call on Gromyko today, I raised question of faster communications between Embassy and Washington, pointing to experience of past week as good example of why it would be desirable for Embassy to have leased teletype wire running to Paris. I pointed out question had been hanging fire for year-and-half and reviewed recent conversations with Ministry on subject. I noted our understanding that it was technically possible have such link, since at least two Western press agencies in Moscow have leased wires, and pointed to line TASS has out of New York as well as SMUN line. I also referred to new legislation which would permit us offer Soviets possibility of radio on reciprocal basis. I said I was not raising radio question in formal way now, but wanted let Soviets know we have this possibility.

Gromyko said he was not in position to go into details on subject. He knew it was a question with a beard, which was now growing gray, but, not having known in advance I would raise it, he had not been able prepare self. He thought there were some technical difficulties. It was difficult for him to say anything about this now, except that he would “look into matter.”

Comment: Both what Gromyko said and way he said it did not encourage me to expect Soviets will give us leased line. In view fact MFA had been alerted to possibility I would raise subject with him (Embtel 1122)² I would guess we shall have to find some means of exacting reciprocity on this issue. Gromyko did not react at all to suggestion on radio.

Kohler

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 911.2161/10-3062. Confidential.
1. See footnote 2 below.
2. On October 29 Kohler reported that a conversation that day with a Foreign Ministry official had brought no resolution of the problem of delays in transmitting Embassy telegraphic traffic. In view of this Kohler reported that he would take the question up with Gromyko during his first call. (Telegram 1122; ibid., 911.2161/10-2962) In telegram 1024, October 29, the Department of State approved the approach and stated that it was prepared to make available immediately to the Soviet Government a leased commercial circuit. (Ibid.)