Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

860F.00/11–3049: Telegram

The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia ( Briggs ) to the Secretary of State

secret

Praha , November 30, 1949—7 p. m.

1779. Had first business discussion with Acting Foreign Minister Siroky this morning, talk lasting two hours, with Hajdu and Penfield present.

Took up with Siroky:

(1) Intentions Czechoslovak Government re continuation nationalization compensation negotiations;¹

(2) Censorship and confiscation USIS Czechoslovak language bulletin;

(3) Distribution of Amerika; ²

(4) Increasing numbers American correspondents refused Czechoslovak visas;

(5) Expulsion American missionaries;

(6) Field case;³

(7) Hvasta case;⁴

(8) Police surveillance Embassy and Consulate Bratislava and interrogation of various emerging callers.

Except for claims, Siroky professed ignorance immediate status other matters, but promised look into them and inform me. His general attitude was cordial and his comments frequently outspoken. Remarks were interspersed with occasional rather bitter comments. He seemed particularly aroused over our “discriminatory economic policy”, lack of “respect for truth” by VOA, and alleged unfairness of American press, specifically recent treatment of Clementis. I gather these matters have penetrated skin of party and upper government hierarchy; this and belief they are finding our economic measures harassing were principal impressions derived from conversation.

Additional comment on several above subjects in immediately following telegrams.

Briggs

1. In his telegram 1780, November 30, from Praha, not printed, Ambassador Briggs reported that at this conversation Široký was unable to give a definite answer to the question of whether the Czechoslovak Government intended to resume the negotiations, broken off in April, regarding the compensation for nationalized American properties. Široký did argue at length that a settlement depended upon the suspension of the “discriminatory economic policy” of the United States (860F.00/11–3049). Regarding the earlier negotiations, see Current Economic Developments, May 2, p. 398.

2. In his telegram 1782, November 30, from Praha, not printed, Ambassador Briggs reported that at this conversation Široký stated he could not discuss the Amerika case until he had ascertained the views of Foreign Minister Clementis. Briggs speculated that this indicated that the original agreement to distribute Amerika in Czechoslovakia had been arranged by Clementis in the face of opposition elsewhere in the Czechoslovak Government. Briggs suggested that failure to receive authorization by the end of the year for the distribution of the magazine would have to be interpreted as a refusal (811.917 America/11–3049).

   Regarding earlier negotiations on this topic, see telegram 142, February 4, to Praha, and annotations thereto, p. 383.

3. Telegram 1784, November 30, from Praha, not printed, reported that Široký promised to expedite a reply on the whereabouts of the Fields family. Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister Hajdů made the “obviously off-the-cuff statement” that it was certain that none of the Fields were in Czechoslovakia (340.1115/11–3049). Regarding the case of Noel, Hermann, and Herta Field, see Thompson’s undated letter of December to Bailey, p. 56.
4. Telegram 1786, November 30, from Praha, not printed, reported that Široký promised to expedite action on the Hvasta case (125.225H3/11–3049). Regarding the arrest and trial of Jan Hvasta, see footnote 4 to telegram 397, March 24, from Praha, p. 390. The Embassy had made repeated representations to the Czechoslovak authorities regarding the release of Hvasta, following his conviction in May.