Office of the Historian

101. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, June 20, 1958—6 p.m.

1540. Re: Lebanon. In discussing situation in Lebanon with Mission officer today, Chechetkin (UN) said Soviets had strong fear that, under UK pressure, US would land Marines in Lebanon. He stated that, if this occurred, Soviets would immediately send “volunteers” to oppose such action.

Chechetkin, now Chief UN Commercial Management Services, was formerly Counselor Soviet UNDel and worked closely with Zarubin during GA sessions. We believe Soviet Delegation continues use him as channel for conveying Soviet views to US.

Barco
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.00/6–2058. Confidential. Repeated to Moscow, Cairo, and Beirut.↩