Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

No. 596
Editorial Note

Ambassador Bohlen, accompanied by Counselor of Embassy McSweeney, called on Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov on the afternoon of May 12 for the first business call of his ambassadorship. During this call Bohlen first expressed the appreciation of the United States Government for the assistance and facilities rendered by the Soviet Government to a group of United States civilian internees allowed to travel across the Soviet Union following their release by the People’s Republic of China. Then, acting with the specific authorization of the Department of State, Ambassador Bohlen explained to Molotov that one of his first duties as Ambassador was the protection of the interests and rights of American citizens, and he raised with Molotov the following cases:

1. Request for the release and repatriation of Noel;

2. Request for permission for Mrs. Balashova and her children to travel to the United States;

3. Granting of exit visas to the Soviet wives of American citizens;

4. Soviet intervention on behalf of the release from imprisonment in Czechoslovakia of the American newsman William Oatis.

The details of all these cases were well known to the Soviet authorities and had previously been the subject of many Embassy representations. Bohlen chose not to raise with Molotov the cases of American soldiers Knight and Michalowski who had fallen into the custody of Soviet forces in East Germany. Ambassador Bohlen’s presentation was received by Molotov with politeness but no commitments were made and there were no indications of subsequent decisions by the Soviet Government. During Bohlen’s call, which he reported upon in telegram 1582, May 12, Molotov raised no subjects of his own. (Microfilm telegram files, “Moscow incoming FY 53”)

On the morning of May 13, Ambassador Bohlen told correspondents in Moscow that his visit with Molotov had dealt exclusively with “certain subjects pending between the US and USSR.” The newsmen agreed to adhere to such a simple description of the meeting. (Telegram 1584, May 13; 611.61/5–1353) At the daily Department of State press briefing on May 13, the Department Press Officer was subjected to great pressure from newsmen inquiring about the Bohlen–Molotov conversation, and they were told that the question of Soviet wives of American citizens was one of the subjects discussed. (Telegram 834 to Moscow, May 14; 611.61/5–1353)

On May 15, William Oatis was released by Czechoslovak authorities; see Documents 30 ff. The American soldiers Knight and Michalowski were released to United States Army custody on May 19. During June and July 1953, exit permits were granted by Soviet authorities to several Soviet wives of American citizens and their children.