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

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

Moscow, March 4, 1965, 3 p.m.

2583. Ref: Embtel 2579.² I saw Deputy FonMin Kuznetsov at 12:45 pm and handed him letter to Gromyko (reftel) noting I had thought I might not get to see him in time.

After reading letter Kuznetsov said that he would pass it to FonMin as requested, and remarked that he had nothing to add to my previous exchanges with MFA reps re past events.

I reminded Kuznetsov that I still awaiting reply to earlier representations and asked that MFA provide guarantees for future to protect Embassy and staff against criminal acts by rioters armed with lethal weapons who are permitted by militia to attack Embassy and go unpunished. I contrasted this with practice in Washington and New York where demonstrators kept 500 feet from buildings.

Kuznetsov, obviously uncomfortable, responded with account of 1956 demonstrations Soviet UN Mission. He then asserted that Soviets observe international law strictly and that we have no ground to demand special assurances or to present demands as ultimatum, which can only worsen relations.

I emphasized again that I was asking for and expected protection for Embassy and personnel, that we had informed Ministry of impending demonstration, and that past gives sufficient ground for concern. I reminded him that I had handed Zorin samples of dangerous weapons used in last demonstration and that Soviets had acknowledged obligation to protect Embassy. I urged him to consider effect of Soviet failure to do this.

Kuznetsov ended meeting with statement that he would transmit request to FonMin and it would be considered.

Kohler

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–8 USSR. Confidential; Immediate. Passed to the White House.
2. At 11 a.m. on March 4 the Embassy in Moscow reported that it had been informed that another demonstration was scheduled for 3 p.m. that day. (Telegram 2577; ibid.) In the next telegram it reported that the Foreign Ministry had been unresponsive to requests for an urgent meeting with Gromyko but that shortly after noon Toon had been granted a meeting with Kuznetsov for 12:45 p.m. (Telegram 2578, March 4; ibid.) Telegram 2579, March 4, transmitted the text of the letter from Kohler to Gromyko, advising him of the coming demonstration, reiterating President Johnson’s statement of February 9 that protection for the Embassy in the previous demonstration had been “wholly inadequate,” and asking the Soviet Government to provide the full protection required by international law. (Ibid.)