123 Klieforth, Alfred W.: Telegram
The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 30—3:33 p.m.]
126. My 103 [102] of July 23. Foreign Office note dated July 16 but not transmitted to Embassy until July 25 regarding Klieforth incident stated in summary that as persons involved in incident were members of Red Army there are “solely the organs of Red Army come into question as regards investigation of incident and eventual punishment of person found guilty”. Furthermore it stated that agreement dated May 8, 1944 between Czecho and Russian Govts concerning relations between Czecho administration and Soviet High Command after entrance of Soviet forces in country regulates the juridical position. Article VII of agreement stipulates that members of Red Army on Czecho territory are under exclusive jurisdiction of Soviet High Commander.
Foreign Office note also enclosed memorandum from Russian Embassy which repeated contents of Vyshinsky’s note to Harriman.58
[Page 481]Foreign Office had previously indicated to Klieforth that above note would be sent and suggested that upon its receipt Embassy request copy of evidence of Czech witnesses. Inasmuch as these witnesses have been briefed it is possible that their evidence under Soviet pressure may now be changed to coincide with Moscow’s version of incident.
Embassy has therefore not asked for this evidence as Foreign Office said on day after incident that its version agreed fully with Klieforth’s. Moreover it seems inadvisable at this stage to argue with Russians as to alleged facts of incident. Therefore Embassy has merely acknowledged Foreign Office note with remarks that its note had been received and referred to Dept.
Sent Dept as 126; repeated Moscow as 27.