949.5262A/7–2751: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
priority
niact
661. Present state our relations with Czech view totally unjustified treatment Oatis and its failure to respond our repeated representations and initial pressures make it unthinkable for US approve any renewal CSA overflights Western Germany for month August.2 This is matter not only protection American citizens and interests US but also of defending interests entire free world by striking back at Czechs for their cynical disregard fon citizens and flagrant violation principle free information in sentencing for espionage [Page 1387] correspondent who as evidence clearly shows doing nothing more than conscientious and honest job of normal reporting activities. Our firm view is therefore that on termination present authorization July 31 all operations CSA over Western Germany shld cease.
Shld we fail to take this action, we wld not only indicate to Czechs that we are not using all ammunition possible re Oatis case, but also wld be indicating weakness of attitude of Western powers in face of outrageous act. Further, any such weakness wld be invitation to Czechs further to take other oppressive and improper action with belief that they cld do so with impunity.
Our understanding from Brit Emb here Brit agreeable withdrawal permit. Request you urge immed and strongly this position in HICOM and Emb Paris with Fr FonOff. Emb London shld explore with UK FonOff possibility of supporting US approach to Fr. We consider this matter of far-reaching significance on which firm united position occupying powers most important. Action shld be taken HICOM to accomplish suspension permit and Czechs shld be notified permit suspended effective July 31 until further notice.3
Believe HICOG shld consult Brit and Fr elements as to how matter shld be handled if Czechs ask reasons for denial. We see two possibilities: (1) link action directly with arbitrary imprisonment Western nationals in Czech and particularly with Oatis case; and (2) inform Czechs action taken because of “technical problems which HICOM has under study”. Favor second alternative as most likely help Oatis since this does not directly engage Czech prestige and allows Czechs more freedom and less difficulty to release Oatis. Request HICOG inform us soonest Brit and Fr views this connection.
HICOG shld inform AmEmbs Bern, Brussels, Hague, as soon as Czechs notified permit suspended and those Embs shld appropriately [Page 1388] advise respective FonOffs, stressing importance all considerations above for all Western countries in moving HICOM this action.
- Drafted by Vedeler of EUR/EE and Wolf of EUR/RA and cleared by E/TRC, EUR/BNA, EUR/WE, GER/GPA, P, and by Deputy Under Secretary Matthews. Also sent priority niact to Frankfurt for HICOG, Paris, Praha, Brussels, Bern, and The Hague.↩
- It was customary for the Civil Aviation Board of the Allied High Commission for Germany to notify the Czechoslovak Government each month of authorization for the Czechoslovak Airlines to overfly West Germany during the succeeding month. During June 1951 the United States had consulted with Western European governments regarding an immediate suspension of such overflight privileges pending the return of two American military aircraft and their pilots from detention in Czechoslovakia (see telegram 815, Document 684). The aircraft and pilots were returned before action could be agreed upon, and a continuance of Czechoslovak Airline overflights for the month of July was granted. Documentation on this matter is in file 949.5262A.↩
- Telegram 858 from Frankfurt, July 28, reported that the British and French elements of the Civil Aviation Board of the Allied High Commission for Germany were unable to concur in the immediate suspension of Czechoslovak flights over Germany. The U.S. element of the CAB proposed a unilateral U.S. suspension of Czechoslovak flights in airspace over the U.S. zone of occupation of Germany. (949.5262A/7–2851) Telegram 589 from London, July 30, reported that the British Foreign Office could not agree to a suspension of Czechoslovak overflights during August but favored a compromise procedure that would allow Czechoslovak flights on a day-to-day basis pending a thorough review of the situation. (949.5262A/7–3051) Telegram 676 from Paris, July 31, reported French Foreign Minister Schuman’s decision against immediate suspension of Czechoslovak overflights but in favor of renewal of overflight authorization on a day-to-day basis. (949.5262A/7–3151) While sympathetic to the American position, French authorities felt obliged to consider (1) Air France’s interest in the maintenance of air service to Praha, and (2) current French negotiations with Czechoslovak and other East European governments for the release of a number of imprisoned French citizens. (949.5262A/7–2851)↩