811.20200(D)/2–546: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 5—4:56 p.m.]
351. Confidential for Benton.32 Questions re broadcasting to USSR raised in Dept’s 199, Feb 1.33 Embassy’s 315, Feb 133 which crossed Dept’s 199 made recommendations on programming. If you wish further details please let us know.
Only evidence we can advance that risks of repercussions to Russian language broadcast would not be great is fact that before war German radio broadcasted to USSR without encountering Soviet interference. An American correspondent who has lived long in USSR and is intimately acquainted with Russians expresses view that Soviet authorities would not directly manifest objections to American broadcasts in Russian provided programs did not include irresponsible criticism of Soviet Govt, policies or personalities. He said that straight news statements by US Govt and moderate press comment would cause no serious repercussions. We are inclined to agree with this estimate and would add that for reasons of domestic prestige Govt would hesitate to admit concern over effects of moderate and reasonable American broadcasts. (See also paragraphs 8 and 10 of Embassy’s 120[187], Jan 20),34
In this connection, it should be borne in mind that while USSR has no hesitation in attacking views of private enterprises and individuals in USA, (Hearst, Scripps Howard, Kent Cooper, Constantino Brown, Hanson Baldwin) it would probably be less quick to criticize a Govt undertaking.
Having said all this we would reiterate that Soviet authorities will not welcome American broadcasts in Russian. While best available estimate is that they will not openly react against such broadcasts, and will not go beyond usual oblique and indirect efforts to discredit general idea, we can not guarantee that there will not be stronger repercussions. If such repercussions develop, hostility of Soviet Govt and Communist Party to USA will be unmistakably revealed to all who care to read. If this is to be the case, it is altogether healthy and desirable that this attitude be revealed now rather than later.