761.5622/11–1452: Telegram
No. 535
The Chargé in the Soviet Union
(O’Shaughnessy) to the Department of
State1
top secret
Moscow, November 14, 1952—7
p.m.
790. Re Deptel 485 Nov 6.2 We wld appreciate any background info which Dept cld make available on this subject. Pending its receipt the following thoughts have occurred to us here:
- 1.
- It would seem desirable that some form of warning against overflights of Jap territory shld be given Sov Govt before engaging Sov aircraft. It might take form of a public statement by Jap Govt or preferably, as suggested in reftel, a formal dipl protest using US Govt as channel.
- 2.
- If violations continue Sov aircraft should be forced down by any practicable means. Our authorities in Jap should be thoroughly briefed on treatment of crews, which should be placed in custody of Jap authorities. Jap Govt could then notify Sov Govt, through US diplomatic channel that Sov aviators are interned and suggest suitable arrangements for their eventual release.
- 3.
- We believe firm action of this kind would not only be accepted by Sovs but would have a salutary effect on their behavior in that area.
Service attachés concur in the above comments.
O’Shaughnessy
- Repeated by the Department to Tokyo for comment.↩
- Same as telegram 1158 to Tokyo, Document 533.↩