236. Memorandum of Conversation1

SUBJECT

  • Signals against Embassy Moscow Chancery

PARTICIPANTS

  • Americans
    • Secretary of State
    • Ambassador Llewellyn E. Thompson
  • Soviets
    • Foreign Minister Gromyko
    • Ambassador Dobrynin

The Secretary said we were very much concerned at an electro-magnetic signal directed against our Chancery building in Moscow. The radiation from this signal was of a level higher than Soviet experts considered safe. We did not know the purpose of this activity and he was not suggesting that it was intended to harm our personnel but he asked that the matter be investigated and the activity stopped.

Mr. Gromyko expressed skepticism and asked if we were really sure of what the Secretary had said.

Ambassador Thompson said there was no doubt whatever about it. This had been going on for some time. He drew a rough diagram to indicate where the signal was coming from and where it was directed.

Ambassador Dobrynin said there was similar activity directed both against the Soviet Mission in New York as well as the Soviet Embassy in Washington.

Mr. Gromyko indicated he would look into the matter.

  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, BG 13 MOSCOW. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Thompson.