511.6121/4–2550: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State 1
1219. Dept’s 345, April 21. It seems to us that basic considerations affecting further steps towards maintenance of Amerika magazine lie in statement that Department determined make Soviet efforts terminate magazine as costly as possible in terms delay and world publicity and in Department’s belief that record must be built and world attention focused struggle while still continuing.
We regret that we believe there are important factors which appear likely to complicate Department’s estimate and proposed action. In first place it would appear that the fact the magazine is a Soviet censored publication might at least partially compromise our maintaining that the issue of freedom of information is squarely involved and we find it difficult to anticipate that domestic and world opinion would be materially aroused over the fate of Amerika magazine in the light of current graver developments and the magazine’s anomalous position.
In any event we are doubtful that additional exchanges with Soyuzpechat with concurrent publicity will serve to clarify the record or the issues involved. The Soviet position that demand has diminished is difficult to disprove conclusively with the magazine under Soviet distribution and the well publicized behavior of the Soviets in ruthlessly discouraging contact with the West in all fields lends [Page 1164] credence to their claim that purchasers are in fact disappearing. To continue correspondence would seem likely to give Soviets additional opportunities to emphasize their attitude and it is difficult to see what it would add to our counterposition.
In our opinion in place of the Department’s proposal we would be better advised (1) to accept payment for 19,000 Soviet copies of January issue and to accept return of the unsold copies; (2) to continue to furnish 50,000 copies to Soyuzpechat of future issues already printed or in preparation; (3) to cease immediately the preparation of further issues; and (4) to withhold publicity until subsequent copies have been delivered, then in the absence of intervening developments, to announce Cessation of publication with suitable publicity.
However, if despite foregoing Department still prefers to follow line proposed Deptel 345, we believe following amendments therein essential. Re numbered paragraph 2, assumption Soviet Government and Soyuzpechat are interested in continuing distribution of 50,000 copies is unrealistic in light attitude Foreign Office has taken in discussions on the subject and should be eliminated as merely tending confuse the problem. As back cover is only place space appears and seems doubtful wisdom authorize Soyuzpechat undertake such over printing which could involve exorbitant charges and interminable delays more advisable procedure would seem to be to have Department provide gummed stamps to be affixed to issues 40, 41 by USIS personnel. No useful purpose is seen in proposal in numbered paragraph 6 to defer payments. Soyuzpechat has notified us that they will make payment for 19,000 copies issue 36 within next few days.
In circumstances Department’s further instructions would be appreciated.
- This telegram was relayed to London at 1:43 p. m. on April 25.↩