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

740.00118 EW/9–1147

Memorandum by the Acting Associate Chief of the Division of Eastern European Affairs (Stevens)¹

[Washington,] September 10, 1947.

I was informed today by Captain MacKinnon of the Navy Department that the Soviet Government has requested that the office of the naval observer at Odessa be closed. It will be recalled that in July 1946 the Soviet Government requested that naval observers be withdrawn from Vladivostok, Archangel, and Odessa but that after the Embassy requested permission to open a consulate at Odessa the Soviet Government agreed to permit the naval observers to remain at that port to handle American shipping bringing UNRRA supplies.

There have been several exchanges of telegrams with the Embassy at Moscow concerning the desirability of pressing for a consulate at Odessa when the expected request for the withdrawal of the naval observer was received. While various considerations militate against such action, notably the possibility that the Soviet Government will raise the embarrassing question of recognition of the Ukrainian SSR, the factors in favor of submitting the request appear to be preponderant.

The Soviet Union at present has consulates in the United States at New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In the Soviet Union we have one at Vladivostok and another in prospect at Leningrad. The opening of an office at Odessa would balance this picture and it is EE’s opinion that if the Odessa request is refused the Soviets should be required to close one of their west coast consulates.²

It is suggested that a final decision on this matter be postponed pending official recommendations from Ambassador Smith. The Navy Department is prepared to accede to the Soviet request and is instructing the Naval Attaché in Moscow accordingly.

F[rancis B.] S[tevens]

1. This memorandum was directed to John D. Hickerson, Director of the Office of European Affairs.
2. Ambassador Smith recommended in telegram 2872 from Moscow on September 18, 5 p. m., not printed, that “now is the time to ask for Consulate at Odessa.” He believed that “we can get this Consulate if Department is willing to stick by its guns and close one Soviet Consulate or Sub-Consulate if Soviets do not agree. Odessa would give us same number as Soviets have in US.” (125.667/9–1847)