Since the forcible repatriation of Soviet citizens at the end of World War II was an act performed by both the United States and the British Government. the United States now takes the position that the British must agree to the declassification of these files before it can be carried out. It is my fervent hope that the British Government will agree to the declassification for. indeed. we can learn much from Operation Keelhaul. All of us were outraged recently when a Coast Guard cutter turned over to Soviet authorities the refugee Simas Kudrika after he sought asylum on an American ship. Operation Keelhaul is no less scandalous and. in my judgment. no more deplorable than the Kudirka affair. I would hope that both our Defense Department and our State Department will continue pressing the British authorities to agree on the declassification of the files on Operation Keelhaul so that we can open up yet another chapter on Soviet chicanery and deceit.