860F.00/7–1248: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

secret

2949. Brit Emb has inquired concerning US policy towards Zecho in light of broadcast of Osusky memo1 by Voice on June 30. FonOff desired to coordinate policy with US and France with regard to possible formation Zecho Govt-in-exile by refugee groups and effect such action would have on current policy of maintaining diplomatic relations with present Zecho Govt.

Summary of airgram 558 July 12 given to Brit Emb emphasizing Dept had neither approved nor disapproved Osusky memo and that press statement made by Osusky at time of distribution of memo did not accurately reflect Dept’s position. Assurances were given that no approval would be given to formation of Govt-in-exile as long as diplomatic relations were maintained with Zecho Govt. Dept not aware of any impending move by refugees to form Govt.

Zecho Emb in note July 122 protested broadcast of Osusky memo by Voice on grounds that facilities of official agency of US Govt were made available to private Zecho citizens for “flagrantly inimical activity”. Reply3 states general position outlined above but points out US will not curb freedom of expression and reminds Czechs that articles hostile to US are published in official Zecho press.

Marshall
  1. Regarding the Osusky memorandum under reference here, see paragraph 2 of airgram A–558, July 12, to London, p. 424. In a conversation with Francis T. Williamson, Assistant Chief of the Division of Central European Affairs, on July 16, Earl Jellicoe, Second Secretary of the British Embassy, explained that it was the general view of the British Foreign Office that no government-in-exile should be formed and that the governments of the western countries should continue to maintain diplomatic relations with the current Czechoslovak Government. (860F.00/7–1648)
  2. Not printed.
  3. The reply to the Czechoslovak Ambassador, dated July 27, 1948, is not printed.