EASTERN EUROPE - STALIN'S INTERVIEWS, ATLANTIC PACT, INSINCERITY, NO POLICY CHA

Created: 2/4/1949

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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EASTERN EUROPE

Stalin's Interviews The dramatic and unprecedentedof the current Soviet propaganda "peaces revealed by Stalin's action Ineeting with President Truman, reflects the grave and Increasing anxiety of the Kremlin over tbe progress of western defensive planning and economic recovery in western Europe. Stalin'salso reveal the continued determination of theto prevent the containment of the USSR by an increas -ingly strong western bloc.

Atlantic Pact In Its timing, Stalin's Interview appears to have been motivated primarily by the rapid development of tbe Atlantic Pact and reflects Soviet determination to prevent, delay, or at leastthe entire western defense effort. Soviet concern over tbe Pact had already been expressed in theblunt note to Norway and ba the recent Soviet "White Paper" on the Pact. Owing to the proximity of Norway, the USSR Is unquestionably disturbed over possibleadherence to tbe Pact and, despite the peaceful tone of Stalin's pronouncements, can be expected toIts efforts to prevent Scandinavian participation in western defense plans. Although Soviet aggression Is unlikely, the USSR will probably Increase its pressure on the Scandinavian countries through propaganda.Party activity, and possibly economic pressure.

STALIN'S PRESS INTERVIEWS

Insincerity By presenting his proposalruman-Stalin

meeting through the press rather than through official channels, Ptalin has not committed the USSR to any specific action and has been able to exploit the hope of the world for peace. The insincerity cf Stalin's proposal isby his refusal to meet President Truman outside the Soviet orbit, which is actually an attempt to create thethat the West must go to Stalin. Althoughealth might keep him from malting the long journey toit presumably would not prevent him from goingearby country outside tlie Soviet orbit. Moreover, if the Kremlin were sincere in its desire to meet the West halfway, Stalin would net have made his proposal to the US alone. This approach was undoubtedly designed to create disunity among tlie western powers and to arouse the suspicions of the non-Communist world concerning Uie good faith andcf the US.

No Policy Change Although the Kremlin would welcome

a Truman-Stalin meeting on Soviet terms, Stalin's recent statements offer no evidence of any change in basic Soviet policy toward the West or of anycf Soviet efforts toward the exjiansion of world Communism. For example, Stalin's remarks concerning Germany, coupled with his failure to refer to the currency Issue, reveal continued Soviet determination to prevent the establishmentest German state. Stalin reiterated the Soviet demand made during tlie negotiations cf last August and offered no immediate prospect for the lifting of tlie Berlin blockade.

Original document.

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