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

321. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union⁰

Washington, May 9, 1963, 2:30 p.m.

2429. Embtels 2828 and 2829.¹ Department fully agrees it most desirable attempt effect reduction present high degree militia interference with access visitors to Embassy. Consider proposed note excellent and concur in deliveryMFA within next few days.

However, Department does not wish note receive any publicity at this time. Soviets would undoubtedly regard such move as defensive retaliation for unfavorable publicity Embassy receiving from Penkovsky trial. Also believe Soviets more likely take note seriously if it not followed by publication.

Department shares Embassy belief note will at best produce only temporary improvement situation and assumes Embassy will follow closely developments subsequent to delivery of note. Should circumstances warrant, Embassy might consider follow-up note bringing chronology up to date at which time consideration could be given to publication both notes.

Re proposal for retaliatory procedures outlined in numbered para two Embtel 2828, believe such action would be both impractical and unwise. While such retaliation might conceivably serve to intensify pressure on Soviets to modify their practices, it would inevitably create counter public relations pressures here which would probably lead to net Soviet advantage. Also very doubtful we would be able to establish and maintain close controls and coordination essential to effective execution of program even for short time.

Concur in your holding discussions of situation with NATO colleagues. However, at moment we would not favor raising problem in NATO although we would not exclude possibility such action in future.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 17 US-USSR. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Guthrie and Owen, cleared by Thompson, and approved by Davis.
1. Both dated May 8. Telegram 2828 reported that interference by Soviet militia guards at the entrances to the Embassy had produced a situation where individuals not known by sight as employees could not enter the premises without identifying themselves. The Embassy proposed sending a protest note, which would be released within 48 hours, and asking the District of Columbia police to interfere with persons entering the Soviet Embassy in Washington. (Ibid.) Telegram 2829 transmitted the text of the protest note. (Ibid.)