Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.
Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.
Transport of Mrs Petrov to 'certain torture and death' – urgent telegram to Prime Minister Robert Menzies
[Red label with bold white text reading 'URGENT'.]
[Printed telegram form with the letterhead: 'COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT', 'TELEGRAM'.]
[In a box labelled 'Office Date Stamp', stamped in black ink 'TELEGRAPHS CANBERRA A.C.T.', '20 APR 54'.]
[Stamped 'PRIME MINISTER'S DEPT.', '20 APR 1954', with handwritten reference number '211/2/24'.]
CM. No.[:] URGENT R5
Office of Origin[:] SYDNEY SUB
No. of Words[:] 82
Time of Lodgement[:] 1 25A
FONE RIGHT HON R G MENZIES
PRIME MINISTER CANBERRA
[Message begins.]
HAVE JUST SEEN SHOCKING SCENE HOW SOVIET POLICE IN PRESENCE IN DIFFERENT AUSTRALIAN POLICE AND OTHER OFFICIALS HAVE FORCED MRS PETROV ON FREE AUSTRALIAN SOIL TO BOARD PLANE TAKING HER TO CERTAIN TORTURE AND DEATH STOP[.] MOST RESPECTFULLY IMPLORE
[Message continues on second form]
YOUR PERSONAL INTERVENTION TO FREE HER WHILE STILL ON AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY THUS MAINTAINING AUSTRALIAS DEMOCRATIC RECORD IN FACE FREE WORLD AND SAVING ONE HUMAN LIFE[.]
H R KRYGIER AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESS FOR CULTURAL FREEDOM[.]
[Handwritten annotation at bottom of page:] N.F.A.
[Handwritten annotation at bottom of page:] 1.509 T
