99. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
2586. Embassy was again attacked this afternoon by mob in excess of 3000 persons mostly Asians in what developed into most aggressive and nastiest demonstration here in recent memory. Damage assessment not yet complete but probably 150 to 200 windows broken on all floors except ninth and tenth, and many ink splotches defacing building. No injuries to American personnel although one officer on tenth floor struck in face by flying but spent steel ball bearing.
In apparent response to our representations earlier today, protective measures were much more in evidence than in previous demonstration. About 100 yard long line of snow plow trucks were parked bumper to bumper down center of Chaikovskiy Street in front of building about thirty minutes before mob arrived. About 300 militiamen also on hand before crowd arrived. Perhaps 70 mounted militia also on hand.
Mob arrived at 1540 from Krasnaya Presnenskaya metro station north of Embassy where had gathered about half hour earlier. Within minutes several hundred had broken through earlier-erected barrier of trucks and portable steel fencing erected by militia approximately 30 meters in front Embassy gates. Most of missile damage done at close range by those who broke through lines.
Militia made serious effort to hold back majority of crowd. We estimate many demonstrators were at least slightly injured as they crushed through and over line of parked trucks. Many individual battles observed between demonstrators and police. Crowd eventually appeared nearly out of effective control at which time, about 1600, some 300 ground forces troops, under command general officer, moved in from north of building. These troops, plus action of mounted militia appeared to turn tide and take most of enthusiasm out of very hostile crowd.
At least ten militiamen and several horses were injured, some apparently seriously, and many demonstrators were hauled off in Soviet paddy wagons.
Bulk of demonstrators moved south of building about 1610 where permitted to regroup. Stood there in formation nearly one hour, chanting [Page 253] slogans and waving banners, with militia and military troops standing by. At 1710, this nucleus, perhaps 1000 strong, moved back in front of building and troops immediately moved out between mob and building.
Press corps judiciously was not in front of building although they had heard of impending event earlier in day. One correspondent reports that damage from ink and sling-shot propelled missiles more extensive than demonstration February 9.
At 1800 crowd still in front of Embassy but under control of military and militia units. Additional reporting follows when demonstrators have dispersed.2
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–8 USSR. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to London, Paris, Saigon, and Hong Kong. Passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA.↩
- The President and Rusk briefly discussed the demonstrations and U.S. reaction to them during a telephone conversation that began at 10:41 a.m. on March 4. A recording of the conversation is in the Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of a Telephone Conversation between Johnson and Rusk, Tape 6503.01, PNO 16.↩