Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

740.00119 Control (Japan)/8–146: Telegram

The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Tokyo, August 1, 1946.
[Received August 6—2:30 p.m.]

351. Diplomatic Section has been issuing diplomatic identification cards on behalf of SCAP to members Foreign Diplomatic and Liaison Missions. Question now arises of issuance such cards to members Allied Council and their Staff.

We understand members Far Eastern Commission have been given diplomatic status and believe Allied Council members and appropriate staff personnel should be accorded similar treatment. We are in doubt, however, as to specific categories of subordinate personnel to be included and request Dept’s instructions or comment. Problem is acute with regard to Soviet member Allied Council whose staff of approximately 500 largely military personnel equivalent in organization (although not ostensibly so) to Corps Headquarters with no actual duties in connection Allied Council. Furthermore, Soviet military personnel have manifested independent attitude toward necessary occupation regulations and controls, have made unauthorized visits to US airfields, and have been guilty traffic and other violations involving at least one hit-and-run death (in latter cases Soviet member Allied Council has refused identify culprits although we have reason to believe he is aware their identity).

As status Soviet staff personnel must be determined immediately, urgent reply by telegraph appreciated. To meet the situation here, our inclination is to restrict issuance of cards to the principal civilian members of staff having apparent connection with council work and to their civilian clerical assistants.⁵⁴

Atcheson

54. In telegram 448, August 13, 1946, 7 p.m., to Tokyo, the Department replied to the effect that only such members of the Far Eastern Commission or the Allied Council for Japan as enjoyed diplomatic status separately would be accorded special privileges, exemptions, or immunities. However, to meet the situation in Japan the Department perceived no objection to issuance of diplomatic identification cards to principal civilian members and assistants on the respective staffs of members of the Allied Council. The Department also stated that the FEC “does not come within the purview Act of Congress entitled ‘International Organizations Immunities Act’” (approved December 29, 1945; 59 Stat, 669). (740.00119 Control (Japan)/8–146)