Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

711.5861/10–1050: Telegram

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

priority

Moscow, October 10, 1950.

845. Following text of announcement published today’s press concerning Soviet note on alleged strafing Soviet airdrome.

“On October 9 Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs USSR, Gromyko received Minister Counselor Embassy USA Moscow, Barbour and transmitted him following note having read text of note preliminary:¹

‘Government of USSR considers necessary to state to government of USA following. On October 8 at 16 hours 17 minutes, local time, two fighters of Air Forces USA of type “Shooting Star” (F–80) grossly violated state frontiers of USSR and approaching on close-shaving flight a Soviet airdrome located on seacoast in region of Sukhaya Rechka, 100 kilometers from Soviet Korean frontier, strafed airdrome with machine guns. As result of strafing damage was inflicted on property of airdrome.

In connection with these provocatory acts of American Air Force expressed in gross violation by American military planes of state frontier of USSR and in strafing of Soviet airdrome, Soviet Government makes decisive protest to Government of US.

Soviet Government insists on strict punishment of persons responsible for attack on Soviet airdrome and expects assurances from Government of USA that it will take necessary measures for prevention of such provocatory acts in future.

Soviet Government considers necessary to state that responsibility for consequences of such acts on part of aviation of USA lies entirely on Government of USA.’

Barbour stated that necessary allegedly take up this matter with UN since Armed Forces UN operating in region Korea. On this pretext Barbour ref used accept note.

Gromyko pointed out complete lack foundation arguments of Barbour since in note Soviet Government subject is strafing Soviet airdrome by planes of Air Force USA and not any other planes. Of course, responsibility for such provocatory acts should be borne by American military authorities who are under control of Government USA.

On same day note of Ministry Foreign Affairs USSR set forth above was dispatched to American Embassy in Moscow.”²

Kirk

1. In the preceding telegram 844 sent from Moscow at two o’clock on the morning of October 10, not printed, Ambassador Kirk recounted that Gromyko had telephoned at 10:45 the previous evening and had asked the Ambassador to see him an hour later, because he had a note to deliver. When the Ambassador explained that he was in bed ill with influenza, Gromyko agreed to receive Walworth Barbour at 11:30 p. m. The text of the note was read by Gromyko to the Ambassador during the conversation. (711.5861/10–1050)
2. The text of the note, according to telegram 846 from Moscow on October 10, not printed, had been delivered to the Embassy at 3 a. m. and had been returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by messenger at 11 a. m., without a covering note. The text corresponded with that printed in the press on October 10. The telegram then contained this comment: “Embassy of course without facts. However, if incident did occur this spot Embassy wishes point out it took place within, perhaps most important and sensitive Soviet military area in Far East and one of similar concern China lying only 10 miles to west. Embassy does not need stress that in spite of apparent mild tone Soviet note operation American planes this vicinity, accidentally or not, inevitably viewed with great seriousness by Soviet Government.” (711.5861/10–1050)