611.61/9–2151: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union 1
224. For ur info only since not yet cleared by Def or fully by Dept.
We agree you might take occasion before departure Moscow Oct 6 make oral request Vyshinsky call on Stalin (Embtel 491 Sept 212). However you shld not request appt for this purpose until receipt Depts further instrs. In requesting see Stalin you shld explain you are leaving Oct 6 and expect attend UN GA sessions Paris; that it is possible you may not return Sov Union, though no final decision has been reached re successor and that pending final decision you remain as Amb and may possibly return Moscow for brief period; that it is over two years since you last saw Premier Stalin and you wld much appreciate opportunity see him again before you leave in Oct. If Vyshinsky inquires whether you have particular subject discuss with Stalin, in your discretion you may reply you have been authorized discuss certain matters with him.
If Vyshinsky immed dismisses possibility interview with Stalin same grounds as refusal Brit Amb, you shld express your disappointment and say that in this contingency you authorized discuss with Vyshinsky matters in question and request this be brought personal attn PriMin.
If by chance you are accorded interview with Stalin, this fact will certainly become known or probably published by Sov press as customary in past. As we do not wish make public matter discussed, in response newspaper inquiries we wld desire link your visit exclusively your imminent departure USSR for lengthy period GA. If matter is discussed with Vyshinsky alone, there shld be no need any public statement.
Instrs on matter be discussed with Stalin or Vyshinsky follow in separate tel.3 We shall want inform Brit and Fr Govts in confidence nature your approach. When Moscow receives final instrs make approach, London and Paris shld inform Morrison and Schuman [Page 1652] our instrs to you. You may inform your Brit and Fr colleagues very gen terms results approach, leaving full details to be communicated personally by London and Paris to Morrison and Schuman.
- Drafted by Davis (EUR/EE) and cleared by Bohlen (C), Bonbright (EUR), and Nitze (S/P). Repeated to London, Paris, and Tokyo for USPolAd.↩
- Supra.↩
- The basis for a possible approach to Stalin or Vyshinsky on some specific issues regarding the Korean armistice talks was set forth in telegram 225 to Moscow, September 28. That telegram had not been fully cleared within the Department of State or with the Department of Defense and was not regarded as an instruction. (611.61/9–2851)↩