EASTERN EUROPE: COMMUNIST DEVIATION; HUNGARY; TREASON TRIAL

Created: 9/23/1949

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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Communist Deviation Within recent weeks, theeffect on international Communism of Tito's defection from the Soviei orbit has become increasingly apparent and could eventually result In the formationito supported, anti-Stalinistmovement. In France, Germany, and Italy,supporting Tito have defied tbe Party, and there are Increasing indications that groups as yet unorganized have rallied to his support even In the Satellites. At some future time, these dissidents who opposed Sovietboth before and after the Tito-Kremlin rift may unite to form an organization which would seriously challenge the Soviet position as the leading Communist state and as the sole interpreter of Communistecessary premise to amalgamation of those dissident Communist groups is the need to abandon the many sharply divergent interpretations of the Marxist-Leninist doctrine.ispute on these divergent views could be postponedommunist movement, not oriented toward Moscow and without prejudice to national sovereignty, might devolop that would carry considerably more appeal andespecially In non-Communist countries, thanIn the Satellites, the USSR has already felt It necessary to take stringent measures against nationalist deviation. Tito would undoubtedly sympathize with any such antl-Stalinist defection, but he is not likely to give his overt support to it at this time. If, however, an independent Communistgains momentum, ho might well aspire to become Its rallying point.

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HUNGARY

Treason Trial The current trial In Budapest Involving

ex-Mlnister of Interior Laszlo Rajk and

other disaffected Communists differs in one important respect from the numerous postwar treason trials in the Satellites. Until now, the arch-enemy, has been the "Imperialist" West. In the current trial, Tito has replaced the West as the principal villain. Although the trial Is thus another weapon being used by the Kremlin in the war of nerves against Yugoslavia, It is designed primarily to unify the Party byangerous deviation 1st group and to demonstrate to Communists throughout the Soviet orbit the futility of defying the USSR. That thefeels it necessary to stage the trial at this time, howevei Indicates both the strength of anti-Moscow feeling among Satellite Communists and the need for continuing drastic measures by the USSR to keep its Satellite parties In line.