864.01/8–544: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Officers
The following is in clarification of the Department’s position in respect of the status of dissident Hungarian diplomats previously set forth in its circular telegrams of March 31 and April 1781 on that subject.
[Page 880]The Department has refrained from giving any recognition, “approval”, or special status to the diplomats, as a group or as individuals, for the following reasons: (1) it has been our consistent policy not to give approval or recognition to any émigré group claiming to represent the people and interests of any enemy state; (2) since the value to the Allied war effort of the activities of these diplomats has been a matter of conjecture, the Department has desired to avoid being put in a position whereby in consequence of endorsement of their movement, there would be an implication of responsibility for their actions and pronouncements; (3) in view of the disunion among Hungarian exiles it has been considered inadvisable to take any action which, by giving a preferred status to any one individual or group, might be interpreted as a promise of political support for that particular individual or group in Hungary; (4) in view of the lack of disposition on part of British and Soviet Governments to accord special status to Hungarian diplomats, the Department does not desire to appear to assume role of sponsor by taking such action on its own initiative.
The Department appreciates the difficult position in which the dissident diplomats find themselves. However, we are not convinced that their usefulness to Allied cause would be enhanced by our granting them a special status. If members of the dissident Hungarian group should request guidance from you, you may inform them that they can best help by supplying reliable information, by suggestions on propaganda, and by countering the influence of the representatives of the Sztojay regime. You should do whatever is possible, within the limits of the general policy outlined above, to retain the good will of the dissident Hungarians and encourage them to render useful service.
The Department and the British Foreign Office are in substantial agreement on the attitude to be adopted toward the Hungarian diplomats. It is expected that you and your British colleague will cooperate and keep each other informed on these matters, especially on messages submitted by Hungarian diplomats for transmission to their colleagues, in order to avoid duplication in transmission through both British and American channels.
The Department has given considerable thought to the possibility of utilizing dissident Hungarian diplomats in connection with propaganda and special operations for Hungary organized in Italy. Contact has been established with Apor in Rome whose knowledge and influence should be of assistance to our military authorities and political representatives. The question of the desirability of encouraging other dissident diplomats or exiled Hungarian politicians to proceed to Italy is being currently examined.
[Page 881]Sent to Bern,83 Stockholm, Lisbon, Madrid, Cairo (AmEmBalk), Ankara (for Istanbul), Caserta (AmPolAd), and Rome (for Taylor84).