I am attaching hereto a report of a conversation I had with Mr. Bourdine54 of the Soviet Embassy. The main point raised during the conversation is related to the appointment of an Ambassador from the USSR in Ottawa.
In case you think that this might be of interest to the Minister, I am attaching a memorandum? to him which you may wish to initial.
J. LÉGER
[PIÈCE JOINTE/ENCLOSURE]
Note du sous-secrétaire d'État adjoint aux Affaires extérieures
Memorandum by Assistant Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs
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SECRET
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Ottawa, June 23, 1953
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Travel Restrictions
9. Mr. Bourdine referred to the announcement made on June 22 about the liberalization of travel facilities afforded foreigners in the USSR. He said that he was very happy this had come about since it would afford foreigners, particularly diplomats, an opportunity of visiting "practically all of the Soviet Union" since the travel ban now applied only to very few cities and border regions. I told him that our colleagues in Moscow would certainly appreciate this move and added that perhaps we might have to look into our own situation here. Mr. Bourdine said that they would anxiously await developments and hope for the best.
Conclusion
10. Although most of the conversation was related to other matters, I think that Bourdine's objective was to sound me out on the possibility of exchanging Ambassadors. It seems to me that, as a result of this approach, this matter should be given careful consideration and, if necessary, followed up with the Soviet Embassy at the appropriate time.
11. Throughout the conversation I found Mr. Bourdine more forthcoming than usual and also less cocky. He refrained from the usual tirades. Even his references to the United States were moderate although he did point out the fact that President Eisenhower did not seem to be able to hold his own. I disagreed with him on this and said that as far as we, in Canada, could see the President had not fallen in the hands of the extremists and could even silence them if and when it was necessary.
12. To sum up my impression of our conversation, I would say that, within my limited experience in that field, it is the "sweetest" I have had with a Soviet diplomat. This could be interpreted to mean either that I have been taken for a ride or that Bourdine made a deliberate attempt to create an atmosphere favourable to discussing common problems. Or both.
J. LÉGER
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54
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V.P. Bourdine, premier secrétaire, ambassade de l'Union soviétique. V.P. Bourdine, First Secretary, Embassy of Soviet Union.
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