511.66/3–450: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Romania
priority
68. Urtel 134, Mar 2.1 You are authorized communicate FonMin re RumGov’t demand discontinuance USIS Office as follows:
Begin. I refer my conversation with Deputy Min FonAff in which he informed me of RumGov’s demand that Info Office of US Leg at Bucharest be discontinued forthwith. In this regard, my Govt has instructed me communicate to you the following:
Gov of US has taken note RumGov’s oral demand for cessation USIS activities in Rum on grounds RumGov does not consider activities that Office normal dipl function. US Govt also notes that Rum FonOff declined at time further explain its position as regards this demand.
It is observed that summary character of RumGov’s informal démarche was lacking all elements of customary dipl practice and courtesy. Moreover, refusal of Deputy FonMin to clarify his Govt’s view that the USIS activities in Rum do not constitute a normal dipl function leaves in doubt exact nature of RumGov’s demand and its position as regards the informational and cultural activities of dipl Missions.
RumGov is requested set forth precisely in written communication its views with respect such activities and exact extent of its demand. In particular, RumGov is asked state whether it considers inappropriate to a dipl Mission activities of accredited Public Affairs, Press or Cultural Officers directed toward exchange of information and promotion of cultural relations between the peoples of the countries concerned. US Govt wld be interested to know whether RumGov objects to maintenance by a dipl Mission of a reading and circulating library, its distribution of a news bulletin, its showing of educational films or exhibits, and its arrangement of musical programs.
The progressively severe restrictions imposed over last three years upon the informational and cultural activities of US Leg as a result attitude and actions of RumGov have brought about a situation in which these activities were already reduced to the barest minimum and virtually confined to premises of USIS Office. This in itself was a serious impediment to free flow of information and to maintenance cultural relations between the peoples of US and of Rum. Is it intention of RumGov’s present demand entirely to block all such channels of communication and thereby further to circumscribe the free and frank exchange of information among the peoples of world which is so essential to internatl understanding and peace? Does RumGovt consider it necessary to achievement its objectives that Rum people’s [Page 1054] knowledge of world affairs be limited exclusively to official version set forth in Govt controlled press?
US Govt is astonished at this action on part of RumGov especially in view fact that latter in recent years has maintained on staff its diplo Mission at Wash Press and Cultural Counselors, that its Leg has conducted various informational and cultural activities in US and that its Leg is publishing and distributing a weekly news bulletin. This bulletin is accorded the facilities of US mails and its publication is certified to US Dept of Justice as legitimate activity of Rum diplo representation in US. These activities have been sanctioned by US Govt as an evidence of its adherence to principles of freedom of press and publication and of established practice. Is US Govt given to understand by RumGovs action against USIS in Rum that it intends cease these activities on part its diplo representatives in US?
Without recognizing right of RumGovt to demand cessation of the informational and cultural services of US Leg at Bucharest, US Govt is suspending public activities of its dipl Mission in this field pending resolution of issue through further negots, and awaits RumGovt’s reply to this communication. End.2