INTIMATE TALKS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 251, 23 October 1944, Page 5

INTIMATE TALKS

MOSCOW CONFERENCE

Progress Toward Solution Of Polish Question

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. noon. LONDON, Oct. 22. , Mr. Churchill returned to this country by air this afternoon from his visit to Russia. He landed at an airfield near London. The Prime Minister was in the uniform of an Air Commodore of R.A.F. and looked fit and well. He was met by Mrs. Churchill, Lord Swinton, .Marshal of the R.A.P. Sir Charles Portal, Chief of the. Air Staff, and Air ViceMarshai Collier,. Deputy Air Officer-in-Ghief, Transport Command.

An official communique on the Moscow conversations says: "Meetings were held in Moscow from October 9 to 18 between ■ Mr. Churchill and Mr. Eden, representing the United Kingdom, and. Marshal Stalin and M. Molotoy, assisted by their political and military advisers.

"The unfolding of the military" plans agreed upon at Teheran was comprehensively reviewed in the light of recent events, also the conclusions of th'e Quebec Conference on the War in Western Europe. The utmost confidence was expressed in the future progress of Allied operations on all fronts.

Misconceptions Dispelled "A free and intimate exchange of views took place on many political questions of common interest. Important progress was made toward the solution of the Polish question, which was closely discussed between the British and Russian Governments.

"They held consultations with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Polish Government and the president of the National Council and chairman of the Committee of National Liberation from Lublin. These discussions notably narrowed the differences and dispelled misconceptions. The conversations are continuing on outstanding points.

"The march of events in Southeast Europe was fully considered and agreement was reached on the remaining points in the Bulgarian armistice terms. The two Governments agreed to pursue a joint policy in Yugoslavia designed to concentrate all energies against the retreating Germans and to bring about a solution-of Yugoslav internal difficulties by a union between the Royal Yugoslav Government and the National Liberation movement.

Yugoslav Rights "The right of the Yugoslav people to settle their future constitution for themselves after the war is, of course, recognised as inalienable. It is the unanimous opinion in Moscow that Mr. Churchill's visit is one of the landmarks in the entire history of Anglo-Russian relations, says the Exchange Telegraph correspondent in Moscow. The conference is regarded, as the most important and most intimate of the war". Mr. Eden, who left Russia with Mr. Churchill, has not yet returned to Britain. -