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Malik, Yakov Alexandrovich ("Jacob") 1906- 1980

Soviet diplomat and politician, born in Ukraine, Yakov ("Jacob") Malik is said to be one of Stalin's favorite juniors.

Biography

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Soviet diplomat and politician, born in Ukraine, Yakov ("Jacob") Malik is said to be one of Stalin's favorite juniors. He was ambassador to Japan (1942-45), and deputy foreign minister in 1946. In 1948 he succeeded Andrei Gromyko as Soviet spokesman at the UN, and was ambassador to Britain (1953-60). From 1960 he was again deputy foreign minister, serving a second term as ambassador to the UN (1968-76).

When Malik was the Soviet Representative to UN Security Council in 1951, he first recommended negotiations to end the Korean War. A cease fire did not officially take hold until two years later in 1953.

Popular Documents

December 10, 1945

Malik, 'On the Question of a United Government in Korea'

This document discusses the creation of an independent Korea. Roosevelt, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-shek first presented the idea at the Cairo Conference in 1943. The United States supports the creation of a single Korean state while the USSR opposes it. The document discusses the importance of the answer to the unification question for the Soviet Union's political and economic future as well as its interest in the Far East.

September 1945

G.J. Malik, 'Clarifications on the Compilation [about the Atomic Bomb]'

Soviet ambassador Yakov Malik introduces a compilation of eyewitness materials and data gathered in the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Staff members from the Soviet embassy in Tokyo were sent to survey the explosion sites, speaking personally with survivors and capturing footage of the affected cities.

June 24, 1951

Ciphered Telegram No. 3777, Filippov [Stalin] to Krasovsky, for Cde. Mao Zedong

Stalin’s response to Mao’s 21 June telegram, turning down his request for further arms and discussing the possibility of armistice.

June 30, 1951

Ciphered Telegram No. 21334 from Beijing, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

Telegram from Mao to Stalin confirming that the PLA will enact the reorganizations proposed by Stalin. Mao also talks about several considerations regarding the American proposal for armistice negotiations.

June 30, 1951

Ciphered Telegram No. 21336 from Beijing, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

Telegram from Mao to Stalin relaying a query from Kim Il Sung on how to respond to a request for negotiations from Ridgway.