§ 55. Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he has informed the Soviet authorities that Lieutenant Bystrof, a Red Army officer who has sought political asylum in the British zone of Germany, may be interviewed by Russian officers or his relations; and if he will immediately withdraw this permission.
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§ Mr. Ernest DaviesWhen the Soviet authorities in Germany ask to interview a person who has sought political asylum, it is our normal practice to grant permission in order that they may be satisfied that the person is not held against his will. I am not prepared to abandon this attitude in the case of Lieut. Bystrov. Any interview must take place on British controlled territory with proper safeguards, and the British authorities in Germany are fully aware of the need to ensure that no political refugee is subjected to intimidation from the Russian side.