Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Europe: Political and Economic Developments, Volume IV, Part 2

No. 811

123–Kirk, Alan G.: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret
priority

Moscow, October 4, 1951—7 p. m.

582. Called for 15 min on Gromyko at 6 p.m. today telling him of my future plans and introducing formally Cumming as Minister-Counselor who would be in charge during my absence.² Gromyko in reasonably genial mood wished bon voyage, etc. To my suggestion we might be meeting soon in Paris he sidestepped by replying this was not yet decided.

Then took up question of American internees in North Korea (Deptel 222; September 28³) and asked for good offices, leaving him aide-mémoire. Gromyko took same line as Vishinsky (Embtel 397, Sept 6⁴), asking why we did not deal directly with NK authorities. My answer was that since we did not have diplomatic relations with that regime we followed established procedures in such case and asked other friendly govts to represent our case. Gromyko left matter in air saying it would be considered.

Next I recalled govt interest in and concern for Sov wives of American citizens who could not leave USSR. Gromyko evinced some interest at first and I listed names US husbands involved, commencing with R. Tucker.⁵ Gromyko then took stubborn line that this was not new, that Sov position well known and that he saw little possibility any change therein. My response was that we wished this matter to be kept alive, that US Govt did not accept Sov ruling. (This was discouraging outcome altho as names were taken down by his interpreter it may not be completely closed).

Regarding Congressman Mack’s desire fly to Moscow spend month (Embtel 469, Sept 18)⁶ Gromyko said he was unfamiliar this case but that it would be looked into.

On driving licenses we exchanged some comment on type of examinations here and elsewhere, Gromyko defending their technical requirements. I recalled our conversation this matter June 1950 and that my Emb frequently asked give visas Sov chauffeur for their Wash Emb. Believe approach will have some effect but we will know later when Gleysteen takes next re-exam.⁷

Last topic was matter posts or stations taken by militiamen on guard outside Mokhovaya⁸ who have gradually inched inward until now practically in archway. I sketched position and requested that militiamen be properly instructed which Gromyko said he would have looked into.

Asked about his US trip⁹ he said it was good but long; that he had enjoyed his train ride across the country. He made no comment or remarks on public or press attitudes or otherwise.

We parted with good-bye messages to families with correct courtesy, Gromyko being somewhat genial.

Kirk

1. Repeated to London and Paris.
2. Regarding Kirk’s plans for leaving Moscow, see footnote 1, Document 808. Kirk left Moscow on October 5.
3. Not printed.
4. For text, see vol. vii, Part 2, p. 1798.

5. Robert C. Tucker was appointed a Vice Consul in the Foreign Service in February 1944 and was assigned to Moscow. He resigned in October 1946 because of marriage to a Soviet national. He remained in Moscow after an unsuccessful effort to obtain an exit permit from Soviet authorities for his wife. Because of the personal interest of President and Mrs. Truman, Tucker was reappointed to the Foreign Service in January 1948 in Moscow. As of 1951 Tucker and his wife continued to reside in Moscow. According to a memorandum of a telephone conversation between Ambassador Kirk and Davis (EE), January 17, on January 16 Mrs. Truman personally telephoned Kirk in New York to inquire about the status of Robert Tucker and his Soviet wife. Davis’ memorandum continued as follows:

   “Ambassador Kirk told Mrs. Truman that the Soviet Government had not changed its attitude toward the departure of Soviet wives of foreigners from the USSR: that Mr. Tucker was well and in good health and doing excellent work; that while Mr. Tucker could undoubtedly leave the Soviet Union at any time, as could all other Americans working for the Embassy in Moscow, it was extremely doubtful that the Soviet Government would permit his wife to leave even in an emergency.” (123–Tucker, Robert C.)

   Mrs. Robert (Evgeniya) Tucker was one of 350 Soviet wives and 65 Soviet husbands of American citizens who were unable (as of 1951) to leave the USSR because of the refusal of the Soviet Government to grant them exit permits. The general question was reviewed in document RPTS D–1/8a, January 29, “Release of Soviet Spouses of American Citizens”, one of a series of briefing papers prepared in the Department of State in anticipation of a possible session of the Council of Foreign Ministers. The series of documents is in CFM files, lot M–88. See also Secretary Acheson’s memorandum to the President, Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. iv, p. 1102. The question is documented in greater detail in ibid., 1947, vol. iv, pp. 718–743.

6. Representative Peter F. Mack, traveling as a private citizen, undertook a goodwill solo flight around the world during the last months of 1951 in his own aircraft. Mack’s proposed itinerary included a stopover of several days in Moscow. On instructions of the Department of State, the Embassy in Moscow sought, without success, to obtain permission for Mack to enter the Soviet Union. Documentation on this subject is in file 033.1100.
7. Regarding the Soviet denial of driver’s permits to Embassy personnel in Moscow, see Simmon’s letter to D.C. Commissioner Young, Document 789.
8. The Mokhovaya Building in Moscow housed the U.S. Embassy and Consulate and also contained the residence quarters of most of the staff.
9. Presumably the reference here is to Gromyko’s trip to the United States in connection with the conference for the conclusion and signature of the Treaty of Peace with Japan, held in San Francisco, September 4–8.