800.796/10–2844: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:06 p.m.]
4141. ReDepts 2536, October 27, 8 p.m. I saw Vyshinski this afternoon and presented to him our Government’s position with respect to Soviet withdrawal from the Civil Aviation Conference. I described to him in detail the importance in questions of civil aviation of those countries to whose participation his Government had taken offense and pointed out how impractical it would be to omit those countries from any discussions on this subject. I showed him a world map of proposed postwar civil aviation routes to demonstrate this point and to prove to him what serious technical considerations underlay our desire for the participation of those countries.
Vyshinski did not deny the validity of this argument but went ahead to describe the political considerations which made it impossible for them to sit down at a table with representatives of those countries. He maintained that they had not realized until just recently that those particular neutral countries were to be invited. He insisted that the press release of September 12 had only named certain neutrals which would not participate. I assured him that according to my information this was not so.
Vyshinski stated that he could not say whether the Soviet Government would consent to instruct the Soviet experts to remain for purposes of liaison. He undertook to give me the answer to this question as soon as possible. He said, however, that he doubted very much that this suggestion would commend itself to his Government. He spoke with bitterness of Spain whose troops had fought against the Soviet Union and even more so of Switzerland that “little country” which had the temerity to debate in its own mind whether to recognize a country like the Soviet Union. He considered it most improbable that the Soviet Government would consent to have its delegates wait “outside the door” while delegates of these neutral countries took part in the discussions. He added speaking personally that we were making a mistake in trying to effect its collaboration on so broad a basis, that we should draw a line around those countries which were really reliable partners and should base our plans and discussions for collaboration primarily on that sphere.
In parting I said that I was sure that he like myself was aware of the whole significance of this step on the part of his Government and of the heavy disappointment that it would cause to people in our country who had locked forward keenly to the prospect of promising [Page 576] and profitable discussions with the Soviet delegates on this important subject. He replied in the affirmative.