Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

125.0061/5–1547

[Translation]

The Ambassador of the Soviet Union (Novikov) to the Secretary of State

No. 76

Washington, May 15, 1947.

Sir: Pursuant to instructions from the Government of the Soviet Union, I have the honor to inform you that the Soviet Government, in compliance with the request of the Government of the United States transmitted by Mr. Smith, Ambassador of the U. S. A. in the U. S. S. R., for authorization to open an American Consulate at Leningrad, has found it possible to authorize the establishment of such a Consulate at Leningrad.¹

I should be grateful to you, Mr. Secretary, if you would so inform the Government of the U. S. A.

Accept [etc.]

N. Novikov

1. The Department of State informed the Embassy in the Soviet Union in telegram 1193 on May 19, 7 p. m., not printed, of this note of acceptance from Ambassador Nikolay Vasilyevich Novikov of the 1946 request. The Embassy was asked to take up the question of obtaining adequate office and living quarters in Leningrad with the appropriate authorities because of the desire to open the consulate at the “earliest practicable date.” (125.0061/5–1547) For the text of the Department’s press release of June 16, on the prospect of opening a consulate in Leningrad, see Department of State Bulletin, June 29, 1947, p. 1307.

   The note of the Embassy of the Soviet Union was acknowledged on June 11, wherein the pleasure of the United States Government was expressed as well as the intention “to open a consulate general in Leningrad as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.” (125.0061/5–1547)