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

240. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Embassy in Norway¹

Moscow, July 19, 1967, 1100Z.

259. Ref: Oslo 273.² For Kennan from Thompson.

1. Soviets repeatedly made clear they consider that publication date just before jubilee to which they attach enormous importance is proof that US Government is deliberately exploiting Svetlana in a cold war move. Publication will re-focus attention on her defection regardless of content. I am convinced that delay of four or five weeks would gain us great credit here and would affect some pending issues. Admit there may be little in this for Svetlana but if Soviets should learn that she had prevented postponement they would be even more bitter toward her. Unlikely but possible this could affect status of children.

2. When in Washington recently I recommended approach to lawyer but do not know outcome. Washington was concerned that government intervention would become known and arouse criticism.

3. Suggest reftel be repeated Washington.

Thompson

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 30 USSR. Confidential. Repeated to Paris and the Department of State.
2. In telegram 273, repeated as telegram 309 from Oslo to the Department of State, July 20, George Kennan told Thompson that he found it difficult to understand the need for postponing publication of Svetlana Alliluyeva’s Twenty Letters to a Friend, which Harper & Row planned to publish in early October, shortly before the Soviet Union’s 50th anniversary celebration, since the book was not primarily political or even autobiographical and the U.S. Government had no part in the decision to publish it. (Ibid.)