Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, the Ambassador of the Soviet Union, Dean Rusk, and Mr. Thompson

COPY DECLASSIFIED 597 67 E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) DEPARTMENT OF STATE 7-23-25 Dept. of State letter, Aug. 9, 1973 . NARS Date 4-2026 Memorandum of Conversation CONFIDENTIAL DATE: March 9, 1949 SUBJECT: Soviet Protest of the Arrest of Gubitchev TRENAE PARTICIPANTS: The Soviet Ambassador ARCHIVES RECORDS MATIONAL AND . the The Secretary Mr. Rusk, Assistant Secretary Mr. Thompson, Deputy Director for European Affairs COPIES TO: S/S G L UNA-Mr. Henkin opo 1-1493 The Ambassador read and had translated the attached note. I informed the Ambassador that I had been promptly advised of his conversa- tion with Mr. Webb. I said it was our view that such immunities as Mr. Gubitchev had pertained to his actions in the performance of his duties as a member of the United Nations Secretariat and not to those which had caused his arrest. I ex- plained that in accordance with our legal procedures, Mr. Gubitchev had not been formally charged and that the decision on this point was a matter for the Grand Jury. I said our information was that the Grand Jury would probably conclude its consideration of the case within the next few days. The Ambassador repeated several of the points made in the Soviet note, in- - cluding the reference to the nature of the questioning. I said I was surprised to hear the statement that any such questions had been asked and that I would cause an immediate investigation to be made. I also passed on to the Ambassador Rusk's statement that our preliminary investigation showed that the Ambassador had been misinformed and that no such questions were asked. I repeated, however, that I would obtain a thorough report. The Ambassador again insisted on the diplomatic status of Gubitchev and asked when he might have a reply to his note. I said while I could not make a definite promise I hoped we would be able to reply within the next few days. The Ambassador asked that I examine the case objectively, which I undertook to do. For the Secretary CHHumelsine CONPIDENTIAL