SOVIET STRATEGY IN THE CFM

Created: 5/2/1947

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

IN BRIEF

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CENERAL

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Soviet Strategy In the 2

2

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EUROPE

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EAST-AFRICA

FAR EAST

SECRET

The Soviet Delegation at the recent CFM meeting obviously was intent upon delaying or preventing the solution of most of the vital issues under discussion.

onsideration underlying the Soviet strategy was probablv the dilemma In which the Kremlin was placed by the announcement of the iruman Doctrine. The USSR could not immediatelyorepolicy without offering confirmation that the President's program was effective In checking aggression. The USSR likewise could not harden us policy without encouraging Increased support In the US for the Truman Joctrine. Furthermore, the encouragement which the President'sgave to European antt -Communists may have Increased the Kremlin's concern over Its eastern European position and its determination to block an Austrian Treaty la order to maintain Soviet forces In that country and communication troops in Hungary and Rumania.

^therefore, may have considered It even morensettled conditions tn Europe conducive too encourage the US to expend Its patience and energyain quest for agreement until forced by its Internal economic and political conditions to curtail its foreign commitments and to leave Europe to the USSR by default.

The Kremlin now appears concerned over the reaction which its obstructionism has produced among the Western Powers. Throughand propaganda, tbe USSR seems to be seeking to reassure the West by Insisting that the achievements of the Conference should not beand that time and patience" eventually will solve most of theproblems. For the present, therefore, the Kremlin appears to beual policy ofuropean settlement whileto keep alive western hopes thatettlement eventually may be possible.

Original document.

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