124.60F/1–449: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State 1 to the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy), at Berlin2
17. Dept would appreciate info (other than that Delga 1135 from Paris and Praha’s 18523) on exact nature difficulties and indignities suffered by Emb personnel Praha (Berlin’s 3009 Dec 31, rptd Praha 89).4 Agree retaliation and counter-pressure can be most effectively applied US zone Germany and have no objection to such action. Understand when Zecho Govt raised unnecessary difficulties re US official travel from Zecho to Germany Amb Steinhardt5 consulted you and General Clay6 directly and also dealt informally with Zecho [Page 382] FonOff in making use retaliation or threatened retaliation against entry Zecho vehicles US zone with result restrictions lifted. Believe counter-action should be effected in this manner on ad hoc basis with pointed reference in informal discussions with Zecho reps to actual or possible restrictive effects on status Zecho personnel Germany of specific action against our personnel Zecho. Recommend, accordingly, if Praha deems counter-action necessary, progressive withdrawal facilities, or imposition restrictions, with possibility eventual complete denial facilities should Zecho offer no remedy. Since relations between Dept and Zecho Emb Washington, are reserved to point merely keeping within bounds propriety permitting continuance correct diplomatic relations, consider little room remains for measures against Zecho personnel here.
- The retirement of Secretary of State George C. Marshall, who was ill, was announced on January 7, 1949. Dean G. Acheson took office as Secretary of State on January 20. On that same day, James C. Webb succeeded Robert A. Lovett as Under Secretary of State.↩
- Repeated as telegram 11 to the Embassy at Praha.↩
- Telegram 1135, December 9, 1948, from the United States Delegation to the United Nations at Paris, not printed, reported that John Pazourek, a construction engineer assigned to the Embassy at Praha, and his wife, had been stopped at a Czechoslovak customs station, forced to undress, and searched (123 Pazourek). Telegram 1852, December 14, 1948, from Praha, not printed, reported that Mrs. Irene Foster Vaclavik, an Embassy clerk being transferred to Oslo, departed from Praha airport on December 8 and had almost the same experience as the Pazoureks (124.60F3/12–1448). Telegram 374, March 18, from Praha, not printed, reported that in response to representations made verbally and by note to Czechoslovak Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Clementis on March 2 regarding the callous personal searches of Mr. and Mrs. Pazourek and Mrs. Vaclavik, Clementis had promised on March 9 to take steps to insure the avoidance in the future of harsh treatment of Embassy officials and employees by customs officials (123 Pazourek).↩
- Not printed. It reported receipt of a message of December 16 from the Embassy in Praha recounting the indignities and difficulties suffered by Embassy personnel at the hands of Czechoslovak authorities and requesting information as to whether U.S. military authorities would, if requested by the Embassy, cut off facilities and assistance to Czechoslovak representatives in the U.S. zone of occupation of Germany. Political Adviser for Germany Robert D. Murphy was inclined to recommend such action, if requested by the Embassy, provided the Department of State had no objection (701.60F62/12–3148).↩
- Laurence A. Steinhardt served as Ambassador in Czechoslovakia from July 1945 to July 1948. Joseph E. Jacobs was named Ambassador to Czechoslovakia in October 1948 but was not confirmed by the Senate until March 1, 1949. Jacobs arrived in Praha on December 18, but he did not present his credentials and assume charge of the Embassy until January 5, 1949.↩
- Gen. Lucius Dubois Clay, United States Military Governor for Germany and Commander in Chief, United States European Command.↩