No. 740

711.5622/12–1151: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Hungary 1

secret
priority   niact

235. Fol, omitting complimentary beginning and close, is text note which you shld deliver immed in reply Hung note Dec 11 (ur 401 and 400 Dec 112), together with substance oral statement which you shld make in presenting note Hung FonOff:

Begin. The govt of the US rejects as false and contrived in their entirety the allegations put forward by the Hung Govt in its note of Dec 3,3 and rptd in its note of Dec 11 concerning the USAF plane which was forced down in Hung on Nov 19. The US Govt once more directs the attn of the Hung Govt to the clear facts in this matter, namely, (1) that this unarmed USAF plane was on a routine flight to Belgrade, became lost, and unintentionally crossed the Hung border, and (2) that the equipment carried on the plane was of a standard type normally required for routine flights in the Eur area and that the plane’s cargo, likewise of an innocent character, was for the Amer Emb at Belgrade. Assertions by the Hung Govt contrary to these simple facts are preposterous. It is patently ridiculous for the Hung Govt to maintain, as it has, that this unarmed cargo aircraft, which the Hung Govt admits was en route to Belgrade, flew into Hung to drop “spies and diversionists” who were never on the plane and exist only in the imagination of the Hung auths.

In view of the entirely accidental and unwitting nature of the overflight of Hung terr by the USAF plane, there can, in reason, be no responsibility on the part of any US auths for “violation of the Hung border with premeditated intention” and therefore no question of punishing anyone on such grounds in connection with this incident. It may be noted that as a matter of normal procedure US auths will, as is customary with respect to such incidents, investigate the circumstances of this inadvertent flight over Hung terr as soon as the crew of the aircraft is returned. In the circumstances, the US Govt again calls emphatically upon Hung Govt to comply promptly with the US request, previously communicated to the Hung Govt orally on Dec 3 and in writing on Dec 4 and Dec 6,4 for the release of the crew of the USAF plane and the return of the aircraft. End.

[Page 1472]

After delivering above note Hung FonOff, and in absence immed favorable response, you shld make firm oral statement along fol lines, emphasizing that ur remarks are made on instrs ur govt:

(1)
You shld state that US Govt cannot in any circumstances accept demand by Hung Govt for punishment “persons responsible” for violation Hung border allegedly “premeditated” but in fact clearly accidental and wholly unintentional. You shld then refer to Berei’s oral statement Dec 115 to effect that Hung Govt prepared discuss US request for release crew and return plane when satis reply received Hung demands. You shld say that Hung Govt shld know, but if not shld take note herewith, that US Govt will not accept any such demands as condition negots, that it has nothing to negotiate, and that it will not submit to blackmail attempts at any time or in any form. You shld also call specific attn at this pt, however, to second sentence second para US note indicating that it is regular procedure for US auths to investigate circumstances such accidents.
(2)
You shld remind Berei that US Govt has straightforwardly expressed its regrets re accidental violation Hung borders by USAF plane and that it is now incumbent upon Hung Govt to abide principles internatl law and accepted practices internatl comity by acting immed release plane crew, facilitate their repatriation, and return aircraft. You shld emphasize this connection that conduct Hung auths has not only been irregular re failure promptly respond US inquiries re fate plane and crew but also absolutely inexcusable re prolonged delay release plane and crew.
(3)
You shld pause at this pt to observe Berei’s reaction and hear his comments, if any, and then, without permitting him draw you into more specific statement or discussion US intentions, conclude that unless US requests are met without further delay Hung Govt must accept complete responsibility for situation thus created.6

Dept has not yet released press text US notes Dec 4 and Dec 6 and does not intend, for present at least, to do so or to release text foregoing note. Suggest you make no statements press and continue keep contact with press to minimum. Dept will attempt to handle from this end such publicity as may be necessary or advisable in light further developments.

Acheson
  1. Repeated to Moscow. Drafted by McKisson (EUR/EE), cleared by Barbour (EUR/EE) and in draft by the Air Force, and signed for the Secretary by Bonbright.
  2. Neither printed. Regarding the Hungarian note of December 11, see Bonbright’s memorandum, supra.
  3. Regarding the Hungarian note of December 3, see supra.
  4. Regarding the U.S. protests cited here, see supra.
  5. See supra.
  6. In telegram 424 from Budapest, December 18, Chargé Abbott reported that he had delivered the note contained in the telegram printed here and had made the oral statement outlined here during a meeting with Berei on the afternoon of December 18. Berei told Abbott that the note would not contribute to a solution of the problem. With respect to Abbott’s oral statement, Berei stated that he wished categorically on behalf of his government to reject the charge of blackmail. (711.5622/12–1851)