FOREIGN RELATIONS: Persona Too Grata

To John A. Baker Jr., 30, second secretary in the U.S. Moscow embassy, Russian history prior to 1800 seemed a safe, non-controversial subject when he applied last fall for a spare-time course at Moscow University. A friendly, strapping (6 ft. 4 in.) Yaleman (’49) with an infectious smile, Russian-speaking John Baker soon began to get invitations to student parties and to student homes, returned the social obligations by digging up tickets to U.S.-Soviet athletic events for his Russian friends. “I never volunteered any information,” said Baker, “but when they asked questions, I answered them.”

Vacationing in London last week with his wife and their 18-month-old son, Baker got word that the Soviet Foreign Ministry had declared him persona non grata on grounds that he “systematically violated the norms of behavior for diplomatic representatives.” Translation: John Baker was persona too grata to the young Russians, who had been raised on a stiff diet of hate-America propaganda.