861.111/8–2949: Airgram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
A–909. Depcirgam Aug. 19. Emb adheres views expressed Embtel 2095 Aug 19 rptd Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest, Bucharest, concerning undesirability for present instituting retaliatory travel restrictions Sov officials US. Feel strongly that while immediate retaliation along lines suggested cirgram under reference at time imposition Sov restrictions last fall might have had beneficial effect, action now most likely to disturb current relatively satisfactory working arrangements whereby Emb officers are obtaining valuable volume useful info. In circumstances, believe no retaliatory measures Sovs should be taken in absence change in situation here.
As regards satellites, although Emb appreciates more rigorous situation existing there and fact that restrictions applied in those smaller countries are commensurately more effective in hampering operations, reluctantly recommend that retaliation also be postponed. Reciprocal retaliation satellites without corresponding measures against Sovs would appear likely give rise misunderstanding, might in itself have repercussions in the nature of further restrictions here and at best would be of questionable effectiveness.