There was no request that the visit be under State Department auspices. or that there be any sanction or approval on the part of the State Department. Admiral Biermann was advised by the U.S. Embassy in South Africa that no problems would be encountered in his being Issued a visa for his trip to this country. Yet just before his departure. when he called at the U.S. Embassy to receive his visa. he was told that it would not be issued. on orders from the State Department in Washington. Upon learning of this situation. I Immediately protested to the State Department. The State Department then agreed to grant the visa. At a time in our history when we are encouraging informal visits of U.S. officials to Communist China. and visits by the Communist Chinese to the United States. it seems outrageous that a high official of a country long friendly to the United States should be denied a visa for an unofficial trip to Washington. The State Department has. as I say. reversed itself. But I think it is appropriate to say that I find it difflcult to understand the thinking of the State Department.