373. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State0
1629. Eyes only Secretary and McGeorge Bundy. Arrest of Professor Barghoorn. Appreciate instructions and discretion authorized Deptel 1545, Nov 12.1 It seemed to me point would be more effectively made if we served warning on blocking group and Soviet Govt on reaction this unwarranted arrest in United States and inevitable repercussions affecting groupʼs visit, thus putting bee on them.
Counselor for Cultural Affairs Staples accordingly reached Mamedova, organizer of group, ten minutes before she was to leave for airport, and had following conversation:
“I said I was calling under personal instructions from Amb. I said we informed by MID that distinguished American Professor, Frederick Barghoorn, arrested on charges of espionage. I said I wished warn Mrs. Mamedova that American reaction to this unjustifiable arrest is very strong at very high level in both official and private circles. I said this is bound have serious effect on her groupʼs visit. I said that if they intend to go in face of this circumstance they must expect unfavorable reception.
“Mamedova said, ‘This is terrible news. What is his name?’ She said she had not heard anything about this, that her group ‘is very far from all these things.’
“‘We must find out what happened,’ she said. ‘I donʼt know what I can do but whatever we can do we shall try. There cannot be of course any connection between a public organization and government action in a case like this.’
“I said her group was high-level group with obvious influence and that I brought this matter to their attention on official instructions.”
Minister Stoessel has just returned from FonOff, where he saw head American section. He protested Barghoornʼs arrest in strongest terms, stressing great concern in official and academic circles in U.S. over this action against eminent scholar. Stoessel said it was fantastic to link man of Barghoornʼs stature with espionage and noted adverse effect this would have on our relations, mentioning specifically impact on reception of Mamedova group along similar terms as expressed by Staples.
Smirnovsky reiterated Barghoorn arrested as spy; fact that he prominent scholar made his espionage activities even more unfortunate. [Page 822] He said could not accept any link between Barghoorn arrest and Mamedova group. Latter going U.S. with view to improving relations between our countries, whereas Barghoorn was spy working against good relations.
Smirnovsky said could give no details re alleged espionage activities of Barghoorn: “Investigation is still continuing.” He agreed pass on Stoesselʼs request that Consular Officer be permitted see Barghoorn, and made no comment to Stoesselʼs observation that apparent 12-day delay in informing us of arrest was unjustifiable.
I have requested urgent appointment see Gromyko.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, PS 7-1 US-USSR. Secret; Immediate.↩
- Dated November 12 and transmitted at 9:01 p.m. (ibid., PS 7-1 US-USSR Barghoorn), it informed the Embassy in Moscow that the President was “greatly concerned” about Barghoornʼs arrest and that he had authorized Kohler to withhold or invalidate the visas for a Soviet exchanges group about to leave for the United States.↩