175. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
2264. Embtel 2253.2 It presumed full text Swedish-Soviet communiqué available Department from press sources.3
It our view Swedes have come out well in communiqué; and we gather from conversations with Swedish officials that Soviets were in conversations friendly and respectful. For example, Soviets deferred rather promptly and without caviling to Swedish opposition to including in communiqué broad statements such as adherence to “Five Principles”4 going beyond immediate context Swedish-Soviet relations. Where departure has occurred from bilateral relations it within framework obligations stemming from membership in United Nations.
Also perhaps significant of respect shown by Soviets to Swedish party is fact that Voroshilov,5 contrary normal practice, was present at Kremlin reception for Erlander.
Good impression caused by Swedes was fortuitously enhanced by momentary Soviet censorship of that portion of Erlander’s press conference yesterday concerned with Wallenberg case.6 For hour or so yesterday censorship held up correspondents’ stories on Erlander’s remarks about this case but during hold-up correspondents reportedly were able to convey by telephone abroad fact that for first time press conference here of top official visitor had been censored. Moscow papers today reported only that Erlander held press conference.
Precedent which results of negotiations of Swedish claims in Baltic States may prove of interest to other countries with claims there, although from practical point view Sweden undoubtedly most interested nation in this issue.7
[Page 497]Re Wallenberg case, Soviets in talks had not admitted he was in their jurisdiction but as Swedes stated they had evidence to contrary (evidence of released prisoners, etc.) Soviets asked (as face saving formula) that they be given this material to assist their “search”.
Re other Swedes in Soviet Union, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] technical citizenship status generally obscure since degree of coercion involved in renouncing Swedish citizenship cannot be established and status of non-Swedish spouses of Swedes and of children of mixed marriages complicates claims to allegiance. However, Swedes [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] gained important point at price of reciprocity which is established Swedish policy in any case by obtaining promise from Soviet authorities to examine “benevolently” requests of Swedish citizens to return.
[1 paragraph (2½ lines of source text) not declassified]
During visit Erlander has suffered from bad cold and Soviets reported relieved that on doctor’s advice he is remaining in Moscow extra day beyond program before departure tomorrow on visit to interior cities (including Tbilisi, Erevan, etc.)
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.5861/4–456. Confidential. Also sent to Stockholm.↩
- Telegram 2253, April 3, reported that the Swedish-Soviet conversations had been “routine.” (Ibid., 033.5861/4–356)↩
- Reference is to the communiqué issued on April 3 during the official visit to the Soviet Union of Tage Erlander, Swedish Prime Minister, March 29–April 5.↩
- Reference is to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panch Shila) enunciated in the text of the India–China Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between Tibet Region of China and India, signed at Peking, April 29, 1954.↩
- Marshal Klimentiy Efremovich Voroshilov, Chairman, Supreme Council of the Presidium of the Soviet Union.↩
- Reference is to the attempt by the Swedish Government to ascertain the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who had been missing since the Red Army entered Budapest in January 1945.↩
- Sweden and the Soviet Union announced that they had agreed to start negotiations to implement their agreement of 1941 concerning outstanding mutual claims in connection with the incorporation of the Baltic Republics in the Soviet Union.↩