56. Instruction From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
SUBJECT
- Demonstrations Against Diplomatic Missions Accredited to the United Nations in New York City
The Department has watched with mounting concern the recurring demonstrations in the proximity of the building housing the Soviet Mission to the United Nations in New York City (as well as near buildings housing other Eastern European missions from time to time). Although the damages inflicted to the Mission buildings as result of such demonstrations has been kept to a minimum and officials of the Mission have not been injured, thanks largely to the efficient work of the New York City police, these demonstrations have brought in their wake protests from the Government of the USSR, retaliation against our Mission in Moscow, to say nothing of injuries to New York City policemen and uncomplimentary publicity. The Department appreciates the motivation of the demonstrations and has hesitated in the past to recommend a course of action which would in any manner curtail the area or the time in which these demonstrations may take place. The Department has now come to the conclusion, however, to urge upon the authorities of New York City the adoption of legislation which would give the missions accredited to the United Nations in New York City protection from public demonstrations against them as is enjoyed by diplomatic missions accredited to the United States Government in the District of Columbia, and which we expect and insist upon for our diplomatic missions abroad.
The Mission should therefore, at a high level, if convenient the Ambassador, call on the Mayor of the City of New York and leave with him the following memorandum:
“The Department of State has noted with increasing concern that demonstrations in the proximity of buildings housing diplomatic missions accredited to the United Nations, particularly missions from Eastern European nations to the United Nations, have tended to end in altercations between the demonstrators and New York City police. Although the New York City police authorities have been most efficient in providing a maximum of protection to the diplomatic personnel of such establishments and their guests, and have kept damage to physical property to a minimum, for which the Department expresses its appreciation, the demonstrations have resulted in evoking sharp diplomatic protests from the foreign governments against which the demonstrations took place, in organized retaliation against the United [Page 91] States diplomatic missions abroad, and in payment by the United States Government for damages inflicted upon the physical property of the missions in New York City.
“The Department of State appreciates the motivations of the individuals and groups who have demonstrated against certain missions accredited to the United Nations. However, the Department believes that these demonstrations have assumed proportions which go beyond normal peaceful picketing. The effectiveness of these demonstrations as a means of self expression is tempered or outweighed by difficulties they make for the United States Government as host to foreign diplomatic missions, and the risk they generate of reciprocal or retaliatory actions against United States representatives and property abroad on whose protection the United States must insist.
“The Department therefore urges the City of New York to take all action that may be required to accord the missions accredited to the United Nations adequate protection from demonstrations directed against these missions. Protection of buildings occupied by diplomatic missions in the District of Columbia is afforded by statute. If it should be considered necessary to secure the adoption of new legislation as a basis for affording adequate protection the Department would support any such move.”2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.261/12–1158. Drafted by IO/OIA; cleared by Wilcox, Kohler, Raymond, Spruks, L/EUR, EE, L/UNA, and O; and approved by Walmsley who signed for Herter. Repeated to Moscow.↩
- Lodge recommended in telegram 647, December 16, that a letter signed by Henderson or Murphy be sent to Mayor Wagner instead of a memorandum. Lodge suggested also that the letter state that Hammarskjöld had sent the United Nations a November 6 note requesting U.S. support for legislation governing picketing at the U.N. headquarters and at missions accredited to the United Nations. (ibid., 310.361/12–1658) A letter signed by Murphy was forwarded to the United Nations as an attachment to instruction A–146, December 31. (Ibid., 310.300/12–3158)↩