Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 63: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Cumming) to the Secretary of State
priority
801. Acting Foreign Minister Gromyko received me at 6:30 p. m. today, for half hour conversation. He said he wished give me note from Soviet Govt to US Govt. I declined his offer let note be translated [Page 1096] by McSweeney1 accompanying me, whereupon, Gromyko translated note himself. Our informal translation, note follows:
Govt of USSR considers it necessary inform Govt of US of following.
According verified info received by Govt USSR on Nov 6, 1951, 10:10 a. m. Vladivostok time Amer two motored bomber of Neptune type violated state border of USSR in area of Cape Ostrovnaya.
Upon approach of two Soviet fighters with intention forcing Amer plane which had violated Soviet state frontier to land on Soviet airport, the Amer airplane opened fire on them. The Sov airplanes were forced open return fire, after which Amer airplane went off in direction of sea and disappeared.
Bringing this attention Govt USA, Soviet Govt states decisive protest against this new rude violation state frontier of USSR by Amer military plane and insists persons guilty of violation be brought strict responsibility and also expects Govt of USA will immediately take appropriate measures that in future Amer planes will not violate frontiers of USSR.
After Gromyko finished, I said I would, of course, regret any infringement Soviet territory by US aircraft, but I wished call his attention to fact that according my info all US aircraft in general area mentioned by him were under UN Command. Gromyko said it was certain plane was US and had US insignia. I repeated that Amer military aircraft under UN Command and asked whether Soviet Govt protesting against territorial infringement by Amer plane under UN Command. Gromyko’s only reply was to repeat that plane involved was US.
I repeated my understanding that all Amer military aircraft in the area, including our aircraft in Japan and Korea, under UN Command. I questioned, therefore, whether any Soviet protest should not be sent to appropriate UN authorities. Gromyko reiterated that Soviet identification of airplane was US. I remarked that all ships, planes and soldiers operating under UN Command in Korea bear national insignia. Gromyko said that he had made no mention of Korea to which I remarked is not the Soviet border in the Vladivostok area near Korea? Gromyko reiterated that the question did not involve Korea.
I said I assumed that Soviet note was intended for info my Govt only; that I was not certain I should accept protest against action of plane operating under UN Command without further info as to all the facts. Gromyko said “essence of your info is not ground for not accepting a note. Any Govt might refuse to accept a note on grounds it had not sufficient info at the moment.”
I repeated my previous statement that I understood all US aircraft under UN and if facts were correctly stated the matter should be referred [Page 1097] to UN authorities as possible infringement of Soviet frontiers. I said that if Soviet fighters had actually engaged the plane, they should know direction of approach. Gromyko reiterated plane carried US insignia. He said, “it was a US plane”.
I referred to my earlier statement that it matter of common knowledge that US aircraft operating in that area under UN Command and under authority of UN and are not engaged in any offensive action against USSR. I repeated my explanation of regret that an Amer plane might have violated Soviet territory to which Gromyko replied “this is good to hear from you, but it would be even better if US authorities take all measures to assure no further action of this nature. This is not the first time”. He added “as you know, such actions have occurred not only in east but in west beginning in 1950”. I replied that re question of the 1950 incident (of course he referred to the Privateer shot down in the Baltic) it was well known that our governments differed in the facts, but I did not wish to raise that question tonight.
I said that I wished to clarify points made earlier: According to my info all US aircraft in that general area under UN Command; if any infringement of Soviet territory by US aircraft had taken place, it was matter properly for UN. I stated that since I had no facts myself regarding the alleged incident, I would accept his note for info my govt as Soviet statement of facts for the attention my govt. I said that I could not accept any responsibility for my govt or obligate my govt with regard to treatment of its note if note should turn out to be properly one for UN. Gromyko said, “I gave you the facts” and I replied I would accept note on basis stated by me with all reservations.
He made typical Soviet remark that “your relations with your govt are up to you.”2
Dept pass London, Paris, Tokyo; sent Dept 801, rptd info London 130, Paris 260, Tokyo 6.
- John M. McSweeney, Counselor of Embassy in Moscow.↩
- On the following day, November 8, the Department of Defense requested General Ridgway’s headquarters to investigate the alleged violation as soon as possible, and, if substantiated, to determine whether it involved a U.N. plane on a U.N. mission or a U.S. plane on a U.S. mission (Telegram Def 86477 to Tokyo; Black Book, Tab 64).↩