601.6111/2–2052
Memorandum by the United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State 1
Subject:
- Restrictions on Travel of Soviet Officials in the United States and Other NATO Countries
I understand that this subject, which has been considered in the [Page 289] Council Deputies during recent weeks, may be raised at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers on discussion of political matters.
About three weeks or a month ago I made a general statement to the Council Deputies regarding Soviet and satellite treatment of NATO nationals and outlined the measures which the United States intended to adopt, as a retaliatory move, to restrict travel of Soviet officials in the United States.2 It developed that certain other NAT nations were contemplating similar action with regard to Soviet officials accredited to their capitals, and it was suggested that such action concerted as to timing between NATO nations would be more effective than individual action. Accordingly, I suggested to Washington that United States action be delayed until it could be taken with other members. Washington telegraphed first that the note (text attached,3 the substance of which has been communicated to the Council Deputies) would be delivered to the USSR on February 16 but, as a result of a request for further delay, agreed to withhold delivery until Tuesday, February 19. On February 18 at the Deputies’ meeting in Lisbon I reported the intention of my Government to proceed with delivery of the note.4 However, the other Deputies again stressed the desirability of a concerted move and requested that I again seek to delay U.S. action until joint action could be taken. This discussion was reported to Washington and word was received on February 20 that delivery of the note had been postponed until February 29.* At the same time, Washington reserved the right to move quickly should any news regarding this matter leak to the press.
Some of the other NAT countries may be able to complete the necessary administrative and legal preliminaries in time to join with the United States in its proposed action on February 29. I seriously doubt if all of them will be able to do so. It is our understanding that further postponement on the part of the United States could not be accepted.
I suggest that if the opportunity presents itself, you inform the Foreign Ministers that the United States cannot delay its action after February 29 and express the hope that as many other countries as possible can take similar action at or near the same time.
- A handwritten notation on the source text by Barnes (S/S) reads: “Seen by Secy”.↩
- Comprehensive documentation on the formulation of U.S. policy with respect to restrictions on the travel of Soviet officials in the United States and other NATO countries and the expression and discussion of that policy within the North Atlantic Council Deputies during January and February 1952 is presented in volume VIII.↩
- The attachment referred to here is not printed. For the final text of the note delivered to the Soviet Embassy in Washington on Mar. 10, 1952, see Department of State Bulletin, Mar. 24, 1952, p. 451.↩
- Spofford reported upon the Council Deputies meeting in Lisbon on Feb. 18 in telegram 379, Feb. 18, from Lisbon. (740.5/2–1852)↩
- Department plans to publish at noon on Feb. 29. [Handwritten footnote on the source text.]↩