311.6121 Gorin, M. N./40¾
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Henderson)
The Soviet Ambassador telephoned Mr. Atherton late yesterday afternoon. The Ambassador said that it was his understanding that the Federal District Attorney’s office of Los Angeles was prepared to consider favorably recommendations that Mr. Gorin, the former head of Intourist of Los Angeles, who has been sentenced to prison for espionage, be released on probation and be permitted to leave the United States provided the Department of Justice would approve such proceedings. The Ambassador asked if the State Department would have any objection to such a disposition being made of the Gorin case.
Mr. Atherton informed the Ambassador that he would take the matter up at once with Mr. Welles and would make an early reply to the Ambassador’s inquiry.
After having discussed the Ambassador’s question with the Under Secretary this morning, Mr. Atherton informed the Ambassador by telephone that the State Department would raise no objection if the Department of Justice and the Federal District Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles should care to follow the procedure with regard to Mr. Gorin which the Ambassador had outlined.
Mr. Oumansky expressed his appreciation of this reply.