861.5151/12–2247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union
us urgent niact
2043. While unwillingness dean dip corps spearhead protest re currency conversion and reduction dip rate unfortunate Dept agrees position outlined urtel Niact 3398 Dec 18 re your participation protest other members corps under probable leadership Brit Amb. In this connection you may find useful development dip corps protest in Sofia mentioned Deptel 2037 Dec 17, Dean dip corps Sofia Rum Amb1 was unwilling act re protest since his govt and those other Soviet satellites and reps USSR received preferential treatment from Bulg Govt. Other members dip corps presented joint protest Bulg Govt which as previously indicated to you was successful.
Dept considers it desirable you associate yourself with group dip corps in protest re lowering dip rate. However Dept hesitates make suggestions re desirability basing protest on grounds discrimination in view incomplete info this point now available here. Please report urgently to Dept nature of special favorable dip rate accorded satellites mentioned ur 3398. If your report clearly indicates more favorable dip rate established for satellites Dept will consider advisability of supporting whatever protest you are then authorized make Moscow this score by emphasizing to new Sov Amb here Dept’s position this matter.
Dept sympathetic your urgent need additional new rubles and action initiated several days ago place additional dollars your disposal Moscow. If you have not already received notice such dollars available you should very shortly. (Urtel Niact 3401 Dec 192) Dept urges you make all possible efforts (without imposing undue hardship on personnel) to avoid converting dollars at new rate until results joint protest to obtain more favorable dip rate are apparent. Dept believes your use new dip rate now will greatly weaken chances obtain revision that [Page 645] rate. Emb is authorized in its discretion when it deems such action absolutely necessary to convert dollars now in process of transfer to rubles without any further reference to Dept.