871.00/6–1747: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

secret   urgent

3298. Deptel 351, June 14 to Bucharest, repeated London 2570, Moscow 1322.1 Embassy feels that parallel and identic approaches by UK and US Governments on matters such as these are not essential so long as both governments register their objections to Soviet manipulations and it is clear UK and US Governments are in harmony.

Although protests of this sort are invariably rejected by rebuff, refutation, or counter-charges, such slights should be overlooked by US and UK governments as the mere fact that the two governments have made the protests is registered in the forum of world public opinion. Even more important is the effect that our championship, with the British, of the rights of the people acts as a stimulus to those elements within the countries behind the iron curtain, and either stiffens their resistance or prevents their collapse in face of Soviet tactics.

Embassy therefore believes that such protests serve a useful purpose and an essential one in giving backbone to the real democratic elements in the Soviet-controlled countries.

Sent Department, repeated Bucharest 15 and Moscow 215.

Gallman
  1. Not printed; it transmitted the text of the proposed American note to the Rumanian Government protesting intensified persecution of the political opposition. Regarding that note, which was delivered on June 24, see the editorial note, infra.