124.05/6–251: Circular airgram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1
The Department has been giving thought to the proper means of meeting the attempts of Communist states to subject the diplomatic representative of the Western democracies to indignities at receptions, public celebrations or similar functions. The most recent case of this type occurred when the Czechs in a number of countries where they are officially represented extended invitations to a reception May 9 “in celebration of the Sixth Anniversary of the Liberation of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Army” (Circular telegram to American Diplomatic and Consular Officers no. 662 of May 22)
Another example is the discriminatory treatment accorded Western chiefs of mission at Prague on last New Year’s day when at the invitation of the Foreign Office they went to the Hradcany Palace to sign the President’s Book. They were not received at the principal entrance customarily used by diplomats but were shunted aside to a kind of “tradesmen’s entrance” in another courtyard. At the same time the diplomatic representatives from the Soviet bloc countries were received in state by President Gottwald and the Cabinet.
The Communist authorities in each country also make statements on formal official occasions denouncing the US. The Hungarian Government, for example, invited all chiefs of mission at Budapest to attend a gala performance at the opera house which was to mark the beginning of official observance of Liberation Day (April 4). The initial half of the performance was given over to a political [Page 1262] manifestation in which the Cabinet together with the President of the Presidium and the Soviet Ambassador sat at a red draped table with the Central Leadership Committee directly behind them and with all these dignitaries surrounded by the usual Communist flags, colors, portraits and slogans. On the stage before the assembled diplomatic corps the Minister of Health gave a 45 minute speech damning imperalists and capitalists, and making specific reference repeatedly to the US, Great Britain and France.
It is not difficult to determine the proper response in situations where an affront to the US is clearly indicated in advance. Such, for example, was the case of the Czech reception on May 9 when the Secretary of State decided that the invitations thereto should be ignored (reference circular telegram). In other circumstances when it is not known for certain beforehand what offenses by way of behavior or statements Communist officials may commit, it is more difficult to decide on appropriate conduct; among the possible choices are: (1) no attendance at all, (2) conspicuous withdrawal from the public function where a questionable act is committed, and (3) registering a formal protest with the Foreign Office following the function.
The Department would appreciate a full report from each mission giving such instances within its experience of the character indicated above. These should include unacceptable statements in connection with invitations or public functions, official speeches offensively critical of the US, departures from established protocol prejudicing the position of the US representatives, or other affronts to the national dignity. It is also suggested that recommendations be made as to how responsible diplomatic officers of the US should deal with these calculated insults. Upon the basis of the requested reports the Department will endeavor to furnish guidance which might be helpful in taking action in such circumstances as the foregoing desirable to uphold the national dignity.