701.6111/740
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State
Mr. Skvirsky, the Soviet Chargé, raised an exceedingly interesting question. He said that his Government would like to appoint a trade commissioner to reside in New York, that he would be appointed to the Embassy and, therefore, would have diplomatic status. I replied that I could not give him an immediate answer inasmuch as this was a matter that would require some consideration. I explained that various countries had asked to have commercial representatives in New York given diplomatic status and the Department had declined to do so and that, therefore, to make an exception in favor of the Soviet Government might be embarrassing. Skvirsky argued the point by saying that, inasmuch as trade matters were wholly under the control of the Soviet Government, the Russian case was a proper exception. My recollection is that Japan has refused to give the Soviet Trade Commissioner diplomatic rank, but that many other countries have been forced to do so. It is a matter on which I shall have to consult the President.