SUGGESTED GUIDANCE RE RADIO FREE EUROPE

Created: 11/13/1956

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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Radio Free Europe

1. General

provide an excuse for Soviet military repressionesultingorretextoviet charge. intervention in Hungary during consideration of the issue in the Wi of Soviet withdrawal. This applies not only to broadcasts to Hungary but to all targets of RFE. RFE must exercise particular restraint and responsibility during this difficult period.

2. Hungary

Events of the last two weeks have markedly changed the role of the Voice of Free Hungary,and the conceptsadio broadcasting in opposition to the regime and aseoples opposition are no longer valid. Tbe objectives of RFE In Hungary should be to support the major objectives being proclaimed by the present Hungarian Government: the withdrawal of Soviet troops and IH action against the maintenance of Soviet troops in Hungary; free elections participated in, by all political parties; the freedom of the press; dissolution of the AVH; the withdrawal of Hungary from the Warsaw Pact, These should be presented not as ideas of RFE but as the objectives demanded by the patriota and the present Hagy Government. RFE should refrain from giving tactical advice as to how these objectives should be accomplished. There is already evidence of some resentment among the patriots against what they consider to be gratuitous guidance from those outside.

At the present time when various Patriot radios and groupa are taking different positions with respect to the Nagy Governnent, RFE should not take

a position for or against this government, nor for or against various patriot group*. RFS ahould rather enphaslte the need for the preservation of order and the need for unity among tbe Patriots in working in support of an interla caretaker government until genuinely free elections can he held.

RPR should fully report tbe support of the free world for the Hungarian peoples fight for freedom. The statements of President Eisenhower, Secretary Dulles and others; tbe twenty milllon. food and assistance offer; the action in. on the question of Soviet troops; guarantee of Hungary's neutrality and relatedther actions of the free world to furnish medical supplies, food, and other assistence to the Hungarian people; theof youth, students, workers, peasants, women, plitlcal leaders and others In the free world with their counterparts in Hungary.

RFE should continue and possibly increase its broadcasts in Russian to Soviet troops using factual news and reports indicating the basic solidarity with and sympathy of the Soviet troops for the Hungarian workers, students ond peasants, and their struggleree and decent life.

In cross-reporting to other Satellites, care should be taken to report the news factuallyinimum of polemics. The political commentary should be consistent with the shove.

Finally, It should be stressed that ve believe that RFE can aake its greatest impactource of news. In commentaries, indirection should be used, RFE editors should be particularly careful during this difficult period not to assume the role of lecturing or giving tactical direction or advice to the people of any of the target countries,

3, Poland

The guidance already provided on Poland by Sponsor is still considered applicable. (The Polish Desk seems to have been carrying out this guidance

admirably.) In the case of Poland tbe role of RFB also has changed greatly, but not to the extent of Hungary. However, even In Poland, RFE should no longer take the roleoice of opposition to the present regime, nor should it appear to be the spokesmaneoples opposition. The role of RFE/Poland should be generally factual and not hostile to the present Polish regime, and it should note vith approval the carrying out of programs for greater liberalisation and greater freedom. Thus RFE broadcasting should be particularly careful to avoid any broadcasts which might appear to Incite revolution.

h. Czechoslovakia, Rumania and_ Bulgaria

Since the thaw has progressed the least in these three countries, RFE's policy should remain essentially the sane aa that developed jointly with Sponsor last sunner. (See August> paper "Agreed PolicyFEC Operations'*,) RFE in these countries can and should still assume the role of an opposition radio, speakingeople's opposition. It is recommended however, that the proportion of news to commentary be increased in broadcasts to these three countries.

Original document.

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