Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

711.61/7–2048: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State

secret

Moscow, July 20, 1948—noon.

1366. I have just read Wiley’s¹ telegram to Loy Henderson (Istanbul’s 206, July 16 [15]²) and cannot refrain from saying a word in support of points Wiley makes. Realize we are likely to be criticized by certain sections of American press if we indulge in contest of polemics with Soviet Union but feel we tend too much toward attitude of dignified reticence and letting facts speak for themselves in face of completely false and malicious charges which are so frequently typical of Soviet tactics. While in most cases our comparative reticence gets support at home it is not understood in large sections of Europe where the charges are heard but the facts are unknown and even at home press which applauds our dignified position one day is first to lacerate us for failing to defend ourselves if reports from Europe make it appear Soviets scored a point in cold war. The example Tehran brings up is particularly flagrant because we are officially coupled with the Iranian Government in a Soviet allegation which is completely false.³ My own feeling is that we should go a good deal further than we have in past in rebutting constantly and vigorously false and vituperative allegations by the Soviet Union and that we should never under any circumstances refrain from immediate official rebuttal when as in the present case the allegation is made officially. Many times in conversation with Vyshinski and others, I have had the comment made to me, “You did not deny our statement so obviously it must be correct.”

Sent Department 1366, repeated Tehran 19. Department pass Tehran.

Smith

1. John C. Wiley was Ambassador to Iran.
2. Not printed.
3. In his telegram sent from Istanbul, Ambassador Wiley referred “to the official charges brought by the Soviet Government against activities of our military missions in Iran” which had been categorically denied by Iran, but which were remembered nonetheless because the United States had remained silent. The Ambassador felt, however, that “for us to continue to maintain silence is innocently to collaborate with Soviet propaganda and imprudently to further Soviet designs.” (761.91/7–1548)