Department of State Wireless Bulletin1
[Extract]
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Kirk Comments on Soviet-U.S. Relations
Confers with President
Relations between the Soviet Union and the United States show “signs of turning in our favor,” according to Alan G. Kirk, U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union.
Mr. Kirk discussed Soviet-U.S. relations with newsmen today after calling on President Truman.2 He and the President talked “in general terms about the situation in the Soviet Union,” Ambassador Kirk said.
“I don’t think they (the Russians) are as tough as they were,” Mr. Kirk said. “I think we are going to continue to be firm in insisting on our policies.” He added:
“The attitude of the United States and the United Nations makes it quite clear that we know what limits to set and we are setting them.”
Mr. Kirk was asked if he thought his exchange with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Vishinsky just before his departure from Moscow helped better relations. He replied:
“I think following my call (on Vishinsky) a little more reasonable attitude has developed in Korea.”
Mr. Kirk said he would leave for Paris Monday, to attend the UN General Assembly as an adviser to the U.S. delegation. When asked about his plans after the General Assembly adjourns, Mr. Kirk said the situation was fluid, and he does not know what he will do.
When questioned on the possibility that his assignment to Moscow may be near its end, he said he has spent two winters in Moscow, and the prospect of a third did not seem very attractive. However, he did not make any direct statement on whether he will return to Moscow.
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- The Wireless Bulletin was the official news service of the Department of State. It was prepared by the Division of International Press and Publications and transmitted daily by radio to various foreign service posts abroad. Foreign language editions were distributed in various cities by the U.S. Information Service.↩
- Regarding the conversation, see Kirk’s memorandum, supra.↩