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

861.4016/3–249: Airgram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kohler) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Moscow, March 2, 1949.

A–219. Reference Embassy’s telegram No. 458, February 24, 1949 and Embassy’s Secret despatch No. 25, January 11, 1949.¹ Subject is repatriation of American-Armenians to Soviet Armenia and occasion is arrival U.S.S.R. of 162, a complete surprise to the Embassy which had no knowledge of continuing Soviet efforts in U.S. in this direction (see reference despatch).

Embassy believes special position of government in knowing conditions within Soviet Union and realities present day Soviet life places special responsibilities on it toward citizens considering repatriation to U.S.S.R. Embassy feels government should not allow American-Armenians to leave for Soviet Armenia in ignorance of what they will find there and in ignorance of impossibility of returning to U.S. in event they do not like what they find. Tragic consequences such ignorance, vividly illustrated by Embassy’s experience with Americans settling in Soviet Union during U.S. depression, already apparent to group American-Armenians repatriated in November 1947. Arrival new group indicates it would not be safe to assume activity this respect terminated.

Above considerations lead Embassy to urge Department make available to U.S. public, and in particular to Americans of Armenian origin, information concerning conditions in Soviet Armenia and feelings 1947 group of repatriates.² Embassy believes this can be done without indicating Department as source if it appears such identification would be undesirable. See Embassy despatch under reference.

In addition Embassy recommends Department consider advisability of issuing official warning, similar to that Embassy understands Canadian Government gave Canadian-Yugoslavs considering repatriation to Yugoslavia, including information concerning acquisition of Soviet citizenship by Armenian repatriates (Embassy’s A–1027, October 15, 1948³) and U.S. experience concerning inability of Soviet citizens to renounce their citizenship or to depart from U.S.S.R. regardless of possible claim to American citizenship. Statement could avoid implication of U.S. approval of, or acquiescence to, Soviet emigration control policy by citing efforts made through direct representations and U.N. action.

Embassy would appreciate being informed of Department’s views on recommendations contained in this airgram, of any action that the Department may have deemed it advisable to take in connection with the recommendations contained in the Embassy’s despatch under reference, and of any evidence repatriation program will continue.

Kohler

1. Neither printed. Telegram 458 reported that the newspaper Izvestiya had carried a Tass despatch on February 24 which announced the arrival of 162 American-Armenian repatriates in Batum.
2. The Embassy had informed the Department at times during 1948 of the unhappy circumstances in which earlier American-Armenian repatriates had found themselves. Most would have liked to return to the United States; and some declared that others like them should be warned not to come.
3. Not printed.