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

125.0095/6–546: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

Moscow, June 5, 1946—5 p.m.
[Received June 5—3:40 p.m.]

1766. ReEmb’s 1678 [1679], May 28.⁹ After my conversation with Molotov¹⁰ on May 28 I confirmed our conversation in letter of May 29 requesting him to review and reconsider adverse decision given to proposal of US Govt to open Consulate in P’yongyang. In letter dated June 4 Lozovski, on instructions of Molotov, replied as follows:

“Recently command of American troops in southern Korea has undertaken number of arbitrary actions in relation to Consul General of USSR in Seoul. These actions have been directed not only to complicating but also to making impossible normal function of Soviet ConsGen. In view of above, I request you to bring to knowledge of Govt of USA that Soviet Govt, in connection with these circumstances, has decided to close ConsGen of USSR in Seoul.

“For safeguarding of buildings and property of Soviet ConsGen, a few persons will remain whose names will be communicated to American command in Seoul.”

I intend to make following reply to Lozovski in event that Dept finds it contains no error in statement of fact:¹¹

“This will acknowledge your letter of June 4, 1946, informing me of decision of Soviet Govt to close ConsGen of USSR in Seoul, Korea. I will inform US Govt accordingly.

“I have also taken note of statement in your letter that this decision is result of number of arbitrary actions by command of American troops in southern Korea in relation to ConsGen of USSR in Seoul which has made impossible normal functioning of Soviet ConsGen. I must inform you that only action taken by commander of American troops in southern Korea with respect to Soviet ConsGen has been to request regularizing of status of this ConsGen by agreement either between our two governments, or directly with United States Army commander in Southern Korea, and suspension of its activities until this was done. I am aware that as late as May 10, personnel of Soviet ConsGen were being provided with rations and gasoline, were given privilege of purchases of goods at American military stores (post exchanges), and were accorded diplomatic immunity and other special privileges, and that no action was taken to require Mr. Poliansky to cease his consular activities pending decision of Soviet Govt on request of United States for accrediting, on reciprocal basis, of small consular representation at P’yongyang.

“Since, in all respects, personnel of Soviet ConsGen in Seoul have been treated with full consideration by American military authorities, from time of capitulation of Japan and occupation of southern Korea by American troops approximately nine months ago, I am sure you will realize that the statement that actions of American command have complicated or made impossible normal functioning of Soviet ConsGen in Seoul is without foundation.

“All suitable facilities will be afforded for safeguarding of buildings and property of Soviet Govt in Seoul.

“Although I do not wish to press unduly for reply, your reference to my letter of May 29 leads me to inquire if I may have at early date decision on request of my Government for establishment of United States Consulate in northern Korea, since it is my understanding, as result of recent conversation with Mr. Vyshinski,¹² that it is view of Soviet Govt that Consulates should be established as needed and not necessarily on reciprocal basis. As pointed out in my previous communication, US Govt desires to open US Consulate at Pyongyang where United States nationals have title of important manufacturing, missionary, cultural and residential property, as result of which my Government feels need for carrying out in that area normal consular functions.”

Smith

9. Not printed.
10. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
11. In telegram 1032, June 7, to Moscow, the Secretary replied: “Dept concurs your proposed statement to Lozovski which contains no error.” Moscow’s telegram 1766 and Department’s 1032 were repeated in telegram 86, June 7, to Seoul.
12. Audrey Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, Deputy (Assistant) Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.