795.00/10–2551: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
2029. Embtel 1968, October 22.1 Following interview with Vyshinsky Oct 23, Brit Amb Moscow reported to FonOff that although Vyshinsky promised to consider possibility USSR again using good offices with North Koreans to urge continuance transmission letters between Brit POWs and their relatives in UK, his attitude unsatisfactory on question exerting influence re freeing Holt2 and others his party. Vyshinsky implied again that it embarrassing to USSR to intervene. When Gascoigne pleaded length and abnormal character detention, Vyshinsky said there different interpretations of requirements international law re civilian internees. After Gascoigne noted Holt and at least one companion had diplomatic status, Vyshinsky merely insisted best way obtaining their freedom was to arrange cease-fire, for [Page 1063] which USSR anxious. He also agreed with Gascoigne’s assertion one major consideration in favor cease-fire is that this wld be important step in easing international tension. Gascoigne in his report seemed impressed by this, remarking that “on face of it, USSR seems anxious for cease-fire”.
Dept pass Moscow; sent Dept 2029, rptd info Moscow 35.
- Not printed. It reported that the Foreign Office, influenced by the views of Messrs. Bohlen and Rusk as expressed to British Embassy officials in Washington and transmitted to London, had wired the new British Ambassador in Moscow, Sir Alvary Gascoigne, to refrain from making representations on Korea during his call on Soviet Foreign Minister Vyshinsky (795.00/10–2251).↩
- Captain Vyvyan Holt, British Minister in the Republic of Korea, had been interned by the North Koreans following the outbreak of fighting in 1950. He was not released until 1953.↩