611.61/10–1551: Telegram
The Charge in the Soviet Union (Cumming) to the Secretary of State
priority
639. Re Embtel 634, October 15. Following translation Vyshinsky statement to me today.
[Page 1043]Verbatim Text. On October 5 I received at his request Amb of USA in USSR Mr. Kirk who stated he would like discuss question of improvement relation between our two countries. Amb stated in this connection he was authorized by Govt of USA to ask that statement which he was authorized to make on this question be brought to knowledge of Sov Govt and brought to personal attn of Generalissimus Stalin. Then Amb read extended statement of seven to eight pages.
To my surprise Amb replied to expression of my wish to receive text to [of] this statement that in accordance with his instructions he must make this statement only in oral form and not leave text.
1. Content of oral statement made by Mr. Kirk essentially consists of following:
(a) It is pointed out in statement read by Mr. Kirk that Korean question is sharpest and most dangerous international question at present time requiring immed solution. Amer Govt attaches tremendous significance to armistice discussion in Korea considering that favorable outcome of armistice discussions would permit settlement of other unresolved questions causing tension in international relations and would open up perspective for improvement of relations between USSR and USA. Amb stated that Govt of USA hopes for cooperation of Sov Govt toward positive completion of these discussions. Together with such reference to Sov Govt for cooperation Mr. Kirk however made rather strange allusions to some sort of possible “unpleasantnesses” between USSR and USA in case of unfavorable results of these discussions.
The Amb also stated that Amer command objects to discussion at Kaesong of question of determination of line of cease fire referring to fact that this question bears political character.
(b) In the statement attn is also given to question of Soviet Amer relations in connection with which attempt is made to shift responsibility for tension in internatl relations to democratic countries called by Amb “Communist bloc” as if they were not manifesting desire for settlement unresolved internatl questions. It is also indicated in statement that Sov Union occupies some sort of irreconcilable position in relation to many internatl problems and this, he said, is causing alarm in US and other countries.
Mr. Kirk gave assurance also that measures taken by Govt of US in military field have no aggressive aim with relation to Sov Union and other countries and are directed solely toward defense and that he makes the statement officially with full authority of his govt.
2. In his oral statement Mr. Kirk dwelt mainly on two questions—sitn in Kor and Sov Amer relations.
Sov Govt attaches important significance to these questions in connection with which it is necessary to state fol:
[Page 1044](a) Re the position in Kor. From Mr. Kirk’s statement it is evident that Govt of USA concerned by sitn which has been created in Kor and course of discussions re termination of mil action. Such concern is fully understandable inasmuch as it is known to all that having unleashed war against Kor people Amer Govt found itself in sitn which caused it uncertainty about outcome of mil adventure which it began in Kor.
However, statements of Amb re aspiration of Govt of USA for successful conclusion for discussions at Kaesong incompatible with policy which Amer Govt is carrying forth in this question, systematically declining all proposals which are directed toward the actual peaceful settlement of Kor question and specifically proposals for immed termination of aggressive war in Kor for the withdrawal from Kor of all fon troops and settlement by peaceful means of whole Kor question.
In this connection it is necessary to direct attn of Govt of USA to efforts of Sov Union to achieve successful conclusion of negotiations at Kaesong and termination of war in Kor.
It was not Govt of USA nor United Nations org but specifically Sov Govt which took upon itself initiative for peaceful settlement of Kor conflict. Even in beginning of July 1950 the chairman of Council of Ministers of USSR I. V. Stalin came out for the speedy settlement of Kor conflict through the Security Council.
At the Fifth Session of the GA in 1950 the Sov Govt also introduced a proposal for immed peaceful settlement of Kor question and for withdrawal from Kor of fon troops. Finally in June 1951 representative of USSR at UN Y. A. Malik introduced proposal that as a first step on path to peaceful settlement of Kor question there be begun negots between belligerent parties for termination of mil action and for an armistice with reciprocal withdrawal of troops from 38th parallel.
As regards assertion of Amb that position taken by command of North Kor troops and Chi volunteers is somehow reason for delay in negots at Kaesong this assertion is completely unfounded. But it is known that command of Anglo Amer troops in Kor systematically created various obstacles to successful course of negots not stopping at creation of various kinds of incidents employed by Gen Ridgway to complicate negots.
Exactly such interference created by Amer commander is real reason for delay of Kaesong negots.
Best way to assure favorable outcome of armistice negots would be to instruct Gen Ridgway not to complicate negots with all kinds of incidents, not to create artificial interference by empty argument relative [Page 1045] for example to relocation of negots from Kaesong to other sort of place.
As regards the remark of Amb relative to line at which armed forces of both sides will be located after termination of military activity, in opinion of Sov Govt this question is organically connected with question of termination of military action and consequently cannot be passed over in armistice negots.
Sov Govt does not consider it necessary to dwell on assertions contained in statement regarding aggression in South Kor inasmuch as already earlier the slanderous nature of such assertions has been incontrovertibly shown.
According to Amb’s statement Govt of USA hopes for cooperation on part of Sov Govt toward a positive conclusion of negots at Kaesong. But it is known that Sov Union is not a party to these negots. On contrary Govt of USA is such party and consequently itself can take measures for successful conclusion of negots. It goes without saying that all kinds of actual efforts in this direction will meet at present time as they would have in past, full and energetic support on part of Sov Union.
(b) Regarding Sov Amer relations. The Amb stated that Govt of USA authorized him to request that attn of Sov Govt and personally of Generalissimus I. V. Stalin be drawn to necessity of improving relations between our countries, having remarked that in this matter as in matter of settlement of other unresolved internatl questions a great role belongs to satisfactory conclusion of armistice negots in Kor.
It goes without saying that in interests of improving internatl situation it is urgently necessary to attain peaceful settlement of Kor question. Sov Govt many times has attempted to negotiate with US on other important questions of Sov Amer relations as well as other unresolved internatl problems of first importance such as question of measures which would assure the creation of unified peaceful democratic independent Ger Govt and conclusion of peace treaty with Ger, of peaceful settlement with Jap, of unconditional prohibition of atomic weapon and establishment of strict internatl control, of termination of armaments race and reduction of armed forces, prohibition of war propaganda and of conclusion of peace pact.
On initiative of Sov Govt there was created in Paris in 1951 conf of Deputy Mins of For Affairs on Ger and other important internatl questions. Sov Govt proposed to include in agenda designed for session of Council of Mins of Fon Affairs a series of questions demanding urgent decision including such important questions as that of Atlantic Pact and Amer milit bases in Eur and in Near East. However, this proposal was declined by Govt of USA as well as Govts of Great Brit and France.
If Govt of USA actually stands for improvement of Sov Amer relations [Page 1046] and for elimination of misunderstandings in a series of important internatl problems mentioned above, if it actually stands for peace then it has had no lack of opportunities to confirm by action its peace aspirations of which mention is made in statement of Govt of USA. It is known however that Govt of USA has not done this.
(c) According to Mr. Kirk’s statement USA do not have any kind of aggressive intention with relation to Sov Union and other countries and aspires to improvement of relations between our countries. Govt of US is not making such statements for first time. In this connection it is appropriate to recall message of Pres of USA, Mr. Truman, and joint resolution of Senate and House of Reps of USA which were sent to Chairman of Presidium of Supreme Soviet of USSR, N. Shvernik. In these documents there were also contained statements of such nature. However, this did not prevent Govt of USA from simultaneously abrogating commercial agreement of USA with Sov Union which had been in effect until present from 1937, from passing under pretext of alleged strategic considerations a law for prohibition of any kind of financial or economic so-called “aid” to countries who may export their goods to USSR and to countries friendly toward Sov Union, and from taking series of other measures directed toward termination of economic ties between USA and Sov Union.1
In the statement read by Mr. Kirk it is also said that the measures in the military field undertaken by Govt of USA have only defense in view and do not pursue any kind of aggressive aims in relation to USSR and other countries. This sort of statement however is in contradiction to actions of USA which show that Govt of USA is concerned not at all with maintenance of peace. This finds its expression not only in the conduct of war against the Korean people but also in creation of aggressive Atlantic bloc directed against USSR and other democratic countries, in remilitarization of Ger and Jap, in creation around Sov Union of innumerable Amer military bases, etc.
(d) Sov Govt cannot pass over Amb’s observation regarding “undesirable consequences” and of possible “unpleasantnesses” between our countries in case negots at Kaesong do not give positive results. Is it permissible first of all to ask exactly what “undesirable consequences” or “unpleasantnesses” the Amer Govt has in mind? If it is a question of possibility of further worsening of Sov Amer relations then it is only barely possible to imagine that these relations can worsen even more after Pres Truman stated to the whole world that agreements with the Sov Union are not worth the paper on which [Page 1047] they are written. In such circumstances is it possible to take seriously statements about a wish to improve Sov Amer relations? Wld it not be truer to suppose that Govt of USA actually does not aspire to improvement of Sov Amer relations and cooperation with Sov Union but is interested only in conversations about cooperation and agreements?
Nonetheless, the Sov Govt following its peaceful policy and constantly striving for establishment of cooperation with all countries who are prepared to cooperate with Sov Union, agrees to examine with the participation of the Govt of the USA all important and unsettled questions and to discuss measures for the improvement of internatl relations including relations between the Sov Union and the USA.
Dept pass London, Paris (its discretion).
- For related documentation, see vol. i, pp. 993 ff.↩