Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XIV, Soviet Union

113. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State¹

Moscow, June 3, 1965.

3637. Embtels 3595 and 3596.² Subject: Nedelya Attack on Embassy Staff.

I had hoped to jump Gromyko personally on this subject at Kremlin reception for Norwegians last night but turned out he was not detachable from official group. However, I did have chance take up Nedelya attack with Smirnovsky, head American Department, and Zamyatin, head Press Dept Foreign Ministry.

I told both I had wished remind Foreign Minister my protests against physical attacks on Embassy earlier this year and protest vicious press attack on Embassy and its officers as even more damaging to Embassy operations and to U.S.-Soviet relations. Soviets knew as well as I Nedelya article complete fabrication and allegations against Toon and Logan entirely untrue.

Neither undertook any defense substance article or any rebuttal my charges re falsity its content. However, both immediately cited Stewart Alsop article May 22 issue Saturday Evening Post as requiring response.

Smirnovsky indirectly expressed some regret, saying he recalled many conversations with me over the years to effect we should not approach political problems in terms of personalities or personal attacks. However, our political relations had deteriorated and in this case first offender had been United States in form Alsop article.

Zamyatin, who unlike Smirnovsky, said speaking personally and not for Foreign Minister, was more explicit in analyzing Nedelya article as precise reply to Alsop piece, pointing out in particular, Toon number three in American Embassy as is Lukyanov in Soviet Embassy. When I indignantly pointed out Nedelya, as supplement Izvestiya, official Soviet Govt paper, not comparable private writer for private American weekly, he argued Nedelya had separate independent editorial staff, could not be considered as directly-controlled govt paper like Izvestiya. In end, he said: “to use old Russian expression, (sic) we’re even”.

Comment:

(1) As suggested reftel, Nedelya article was clearly calculated riposte to Hoover testimony and more specifically Alsop article.

(2) Article stands on own as part of campaign of intimidation against African contacts with U.S. Embassy. I am sure it does not foreshadow any further action against Toon, whom Soviets realize experienced, objective expert with whom they will be dealing for long time to come; and at risk being disproved tomorrow, I believe PNG action also not likely against Logan.

(3) I must say that I regard provision information on Soviet Embassy personnel to Alsop as singularly irresponsible and I trust steps are being taken to establish responsibility. This is game at which Soviets with totally controlled press can always do us more harm than we can do them.

(4) I am sure my protests to Smirnovsky and Zamyatin will be reported to Gromyko and other members apparatus involved. I hope Department officers will make similar remarks to Dobrynin and associates. However, I doubt that more formal protest would serve useful purpose, especially in view obvious official source material in Alsop article.

Kohler

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 17 US–USSR. Confidential. No time of transmission appears on the telegram.
2. Both dated May 29. (Ibid.) The former reported that Nedelya, the weekly illustrated issue of Izvestia, carried a full-page article entitled “Spy Mania and Naked Kings” describing the spy activities of the American Embassy. The latter transmitted a translation of the article.