Three Women Disappear From Moscow Embassy

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1949, Page 5

Three Women Disappear From Moscow Embassy

LONDON, Wed. (noon).—A British Note protesting against Soviet interference and persecution of employees at the British Embassy in Moscow cited cases of three women telephonists (two of them Soviet-born wives of British citizens), who disappeared, and another case of a woman who was so intimidated by the '•dice that she attempted suicide, the Foreign Office said today. A Foreign Office statement which names the persons conrned, cites other cases of police intimidation which forced employees to leave the embassy after many years’ service.

The Foreign Office said that on October 22, 1948, Sir Maurice Peterson wrote to M Molotov about the cases of two womert who disappeared and one who tried to commit suicide, and protested against the persecution to which the Embassy staff was being subjected. He asked thae people employed in the Embassy should be exmpt from police interference. NO REPLY No acknowledgement or reply to this letter had been received. On January 1 Sir Maurice took up the other cases with M Vyshinsky, who refused to give any assurances that interference with these members of the staff would cease. This interview with M. Vyshinsky was almost immediately followed by the disappearance of a third telephonist.

It then referred to the withdrawal or refusal of visas to people whose services were required in the British Embassy in Moscow.

“The Soviet Government will appreciate that it cannot expect to be able to persecute members of tire staff of the British Embassy and to delay visas while continuing to enjoy most favourable treatment as regards the Soviet Embassy in London.” the Note added.

“His Majesty’s Government has gone to the furthest limit of forbearance and canot allow the obstruction of the work of the Embassy to continue. “It intends in future to deal with these matters on the general basis of reciprocity.” A Russian reply, broadcast from Moscow today, complained that Britain has refused to grant visas to Russians. A Foreign Office spokesman commented: “It is possible that in the last month or two we have made a start with the process of reciprocity." NEW POLICY A new British policy of refusing visas to members of the Soviet Embassy staff in London if visas were refused to persons applying to join the British Embassy slaff in Moscow is now in operation, a Foreign Office spokesman said today.

The British Note said it seemed that the Soviet authorities were seeking to dictate the composition of the staff of the British Embassy in Moscow. “Britain extends personal courtesy and immunity to employees of the Soviet Embassy in London, and the British Government must insist on this treatment being reciprocal,” the Note said. _ .........