811.79661/74: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 24—11:30 a.m.]
716. My immediately following, No. 717, June 23, 4 p.m.,88 transmitting requests for visas for five employees of Soviet Purchasing Commission who intend to proceed via Alaska route.
The Soviet Government is now frequently using the Alaska route to transport diplomats, officials, couriers and diplomatic mail to the United States and Canada. Although American air transport facilities are utilized from Fairbanks onwards my requests to make Soviet air facilities available on a reciprocal basis for corresponding categories of Americans proceeding to Moscow have met with no response and I have not been encouraged to believe that such privileges will be granted as long as American air facilities from Alaska onwards continue to be freely available to Soviet personnel. The opening of this service to American official personnel proceeding to and from Moscow and to official mail would in large measure end our long standing communications difficulties. Unless the Department is planning to submit definite proposals along the lines suggested in my 648, June 12, 9 a.m., I strongly suggest that the Department consider the advisability of replying to requests for further visas for travel by the Alaska route by stating that it will be glad to authorize such visas provided the Soviet Government will extend reciprocal facilities for Americans proceeding to the Soviet Union.
A reply is requested to my 588, June 2, 3 p.m., with respect to use by Soviet couriers of air services via North Africa.
- Not printed.↩