Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

811.2361/2–1649: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kohler) to the Secretary of State

restricted

Moscow, February 16, 1949—2 p. m.

391. Third person note No. 9 dated February 15 received from Foreign Office reference previous notes January 30, March 4, April 9, July 7, 1948¹ re violations freedom commercial navigation on high seas by American planes. Note draws attention Embassy to continuing violations arid stated Soviet authorities have registered only during last three months following new facts. Note then goes on to list 3 instances in October, 10 in November, 6 in December 1948 and 3 in January 1949 when American planes allegedly observed at close quarters various Soviet vessels navigating in Far Eastern waters.

Note concludes: “Stating the above and considering that reply to note of Foreign Office No. 116, July 7, 1948 has not yet been received. Ministry upon instructions of Soviet Government again confirms statements made by it earlier re inadmissible violations freedom commercial navigation on high seas by American airplanes and expects that Government US will take necessary measures prevent repetition of similar incidents in future”.²

Unless instructed otherwise, Embassy will forward full translation by pouch leaving Moscow February 20.³

Kohler

1. The first three notes are not printed, but see Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. iv, footnote 1, p. 841. The substance of the note No. 116 of July 1 is printed ibid., p. 899.
2. In a memorandum of March 4, 1949, Mr. Robert G. Hooker, the associate chief of the Division of Eastern European Affairs, wrote to Mr. Llewellyn E. Thompson, the deputy director of the Office of European Affairs, in part as follows: “In view of the comprehensive nature of our note of May 25, 1948 which clearly stated this Government’s position that our Air Force actions in those waters are not violations of the freedom of commercial shipping, it is suggested that the present note be filed without reply.” Mr. Thompson approved the suggestion. (811.2361/3–449) The Embassy in the Soviet Union was informed of this decision in A–202 on August 16, 1949, not printed. (811.2361/7–149) For text Of note No. 316 of May 25, 1948, from the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, see Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. iv, p. 874.
3. The full text of note No. 9 was sent in despatch No. 106 from Moscow on February 18, 1949; not printed.