I am in receipt of an official intimation from the Australian
Legation at Moscow to the effect that no less than fourteen
microphones had been inserted in the structure, centrally
connected, and actively operated in such a way as to establish the
fact of a long and systematic listening in by the Moscow
authorities to all conversations in the fourteen rooms of the
Australian Legation. These microphones were in active operation
until removal.

The Australian Government regards this incident as a flagrant
breach of international law and diplomatic practice and requires
from the Soviet Government an immediate explanation.

The Australian Government further seeks reparation from the Soviet
Government and, in particular, asks that the Soviet Government
deliver immediately to the Australian Government all records and
notes which have been made by Soviet authorities of conversations
heard through the microphones operated in the Australian Legation
at Moscow.