PRESENT SOVIET TACTICS IN EUROPE

Created: 5/27/1949

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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PRESENT SOVIET TACTICS IN EUROPE

The opening sessions of the Council of Foreignin Paris have done little more than reveal, In broadibe initial bargaining positions of the participants. The Soviet proposal that Germany be returned to four-powercame as no surprise and does not preclude subsequent Soviet concessions designed to achieve some sort of over-all agreement on Germany. Meanwhile, the Soviet decision to resume four-power talks on Germany has been accompanied by other Soviet moves which may reflect the Kremlin'sof the needhift In tactics ln order to obtain Soviet objectives in Europe. The Greek "peace" offer, Albanian overtures to the West,enerally more conciliatory Soviet attitude toward East-West trade all point to the possibilityoncerted Soviet campaign toemporary truce on the continent. Steps taken thus far by the Kremlin towardofrace, however, have been tentative andin nature and suggest that the door is still being left openeturn to more militant tactics tn the eventreakdown of the discussions on Germany.

Greek Offer The Soviet Union's suggestions for attaining

peace In Greece, as outlinedASS article ofay, are substantially the same as several propaganda "peace" offers previously made by the Greek guerrillas. The new aspect of this proposal, however, Is the Soviet offer to participateig-power settlement In Greece, an offer which contains an implicit admission that the USSR can exert control over the guerrillas. The Soviet suggestion, which evoked prompt US and British refusals to participatebig-power deal" and setharp Greek reaction, may represent one fa est of an over-all Soviet shift In tactics. I? the TASSdecs represent the first move Inainblt, then further moves of this sort will be forthcoming and the

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Kremlin may soonillingness to bargain in order toettlement" which would slacken the western hold on Greece. Seen In these terms, any intensification of guerrilla fighting must be regardedommunist attempt to dispel the notion that peace is being sought because of weakness.

Albanian Overtures Coinciding with the Kremlin's Greek

"peace" offer, Albania has taken several steps to improve lbs relations with the West. The resumption of Albanian-Italian diplomatic relations has been followedeeler toward the re -establishment of diplomatic ties with the US and reported attempts to reach an out-of-court monetary settlement with the UK In tho long-standing Corfu Channel case. The USSR has had little success ba restoring economic prosperity In Albania ortable political regime. The resumption of diplomatic relations between Albania and the West could serveirst step towardAlbania's commercial ties with Western Europe and would alsoatural forerunner to any peace moves in Greece. The USSR may also be attempting to smooth the way toward Albania's membership in the United Nations.

East-West Trade Although the resumption of trade between the eastern and western zones of Germany was still being delayed by complex technical details and by the larger considerations before the CFM, Soviet bloc delegates at the recent Geneva session of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)otably mild attitude toward the West This altitude probablyncreasing Soviet concern over the faster economic recovery in Western than in Eastern Europe;oviet desire, tn tbe event of anat the CFM, to use the ECEeans of promoting East-West trade and securing western aid.

Original document.

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