340.1115/7–1345: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Kennan ) to the Secretary of State

2559. ReDepcirtel July 5.62 Re possible repatriation cases Embassy knows of no persons in Soviet Union with citizenship established and in possession of exit visas who would be available for repatriation.

It is estimated that persons who have contacted this Embassy claiming American citizenship total 5 in Estonia, 5 in Latvia, 500 Lithuania, 100 Western Ukraine and Belo Russia and 10 Bessarabia. They are unable to establish their claim without traveling to Moscow in order to make application for registration before consular officer. Soviet authorities rarely will issue travel permits for this purpose.

Inasmuch as we have no persons available for repatriation it is proposed not to report monthly on this subject as instructed in telegram under reference unless Dept specifically instructs us to do so.

In view large number persons in Lithuania claiming citizenship and plan for visit of repatriation ship to north Europe ports we propose to request permission for career officer and clerk to visit Kovno in order to hear claims of citizenship and to document those whose citizenship is established. It is not probable that such request will receive any early reply, particularly a favorable one. Nevertheless, we see no harm in making request and will do so unless Dept perceives objection.

Kennan
  1. Not printed.