398.00–MO/10–2451: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Cumming) to the Secretary of State 1
705. Ref Deptel 288, Oct 22, sent London Todep 261, rptd Paris 2364, Rome 1813.2 Emb agrees desirability similar action on NATO countries re attendance Moscow Economic Conf and with Dept program outlined para three reftel. True nature “peace campaign” now sufficiently well known in West so that reputable people in West who might otherwise consider attendance MEC would be unlikely do so if close connection conference with Sov manipulated peace campaign made clear. It is particularly important that invitees insofar as possible arrive at independent decision not attend conference.
Emb recommends that passports persons otherwise entitled same not be withheld solely by virtue proposed attendance MEC. Such overt interference would provide Sovs excellent propaganda platform and would undoubtedly redound our disadvantage.
Opinion of Brit Emb here toward conf and means handling it much the same as ours. They particularly reluctant consider possible padding of representation at conf. They feel there is considerable number middle ground economists and businessmen whose views re East-West trade restrictions considerably at variance with ours who might find offers of goods from Eastern Europe very attractive with net result that Brit Govt wld be under even greater pressure permit shipments critical items such as rubber. These same people living in usual plush conditions Sov Govt makes available to invited foreigners unlikely see through facade “progress” Soviet nation during their stay in Moscow.