Evening star., 1946-10-15
|Acheson Puts Blame
IFor Noyikov Incident
Ion Crowded FaciIitie!

An official investigation mas 1alleQ
to substantiate most of Soviet Am
bassador Nikolai v. Novikov's
charges that he was treated dis
courteously at La Guardia Field, New
York, 10 days ago, the State Depart
ment announced today.
In q formal note delivered to the
Soviet Embassy this morning, Acting
Secretary of State Acheson said the
department "deeply regrets it" if
the Ambassador was shown any dis
courtesy when he landed at the
field October 4.
Facilities Inadequate.
Mr.. Novikov had alleged that his
diplomatic immunity was violated by
local customs and immigration OFF,
cials. He complained he was de-
tanned more than an hour and in
sisted he should not have been re-
quired to sign formal customs dec
laration and immigration document.
Delay in clearing the Ambassador
was attributed largely to inadequate
facilities. Mr.. Acheson told a news
| conference a great deal of time also
| was consumed explaining to Mr.
Novikov he must sign customs
declaration to pass his baggage
without inspection.
Although baggage Of Ambassa-
dors is not interfered with, it is
necessary for them to sign a state
ment identifying it. Mr.. Acheson
said the Soviet Ambassador ap-
parently did not understand that.
At the news conference Mr.. Ache
son said he did not characterize
the note as an apology.
Text of Note.
The text of the note follows:
The Acting Secretary of State
presents his compliments to his
excellency the Ambassador of the
Union of Soviet Socialist Repub-
lies, and has the honor to refer
to the Embassy's note of october
5, 1916, concerning the arrival of
the Ambassador at La Guardia Air.
port on october 4.
TN accordance with the request
of the Embassy the department has
made a thorough investigation of
all the circumstances in the case.
The investigation reveals that two
planes had arrived just before the
Ambassadors plane and that the
limited quarantine, immigration
and customs services were heavily
taxed with their duties at the time
Due to present overcrowded con-
ditions at La Guardia Field and the
lack of any advance notice of the
Ambassador arrival, it required
about 20 minutes to clear the Am
bassador with each Of the three
services. part of which period was
consumed in obtaining his signature
on the customs declaration required
of all persons arriving in the United
States
Notification Requested.
at is regretted that the Ambas-
sador was not allowed to leave the
customs premises in order to tele-
phone. there being no telephone
available there
although the department has
found no other evidence to sub
stantiate the Embassy's statement
to the effect that the Ambassador
was treated discourteously, If any
discourtesy was shown the Ambas-
sador. the department deeply re-
grets it.
THE department intends to con-
suit with other interested agencies
of the Government to ascertain
what steps might be taken to over
come the difficulties caused by the
crowded conditions at La Guardia
Field in order that chiefs of mis-
sion arriving in the United States
may be expeditiously cleared.
However. in the future if the
Soviet Embassy will notify the De-
partment of State of the expected
arrival in the United States of the
Ambassador, the department, in ac-
cordance with its standing policy
and practice, will undertake to as
sure his maximum possible accom-
modation."