KHRUSHCHEV SPEECH

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27924, 22 March 1956, Page 13

KHRUSHCHEV SPEECH

“Broke Down And Wept” (Special Correspondent N .Z.P A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. March 21 The Foreign Office knew 10 days am of Mr Khrushchev's sensational attack ©n Stalin and could have scooped the world with it. says the “Yorkshire Post.” “The reason that this did not happen was because the officials were then — and are now—at a loss to know what conclusions should be drawn from the speech. ‘‘Even now the Foreign Office is abl° tn add to the accounts alreadv published—for example, that Mr Khrushchev. in telling at the recent Communist Partv Congress of Stalin’s infamous deeds, three times broke down and wept. “These three occasions are not snecifled. but one of them might well have been when he told delegates that Stalin offered the alternatives of *si’in»de or a country villa.’ “Stalin’s ‘country villa’ was a grim jest—it seems to have been his defcrintion for a coffin in six feet of soil. “Even now. when the contents of the speech have leaked out, the Foreign Office remains puzzled, and it will be some time before a full evaluation is made. “That Mr Khrushchev should feel himself in a position to deliver such a blistering attack on Stalin indicates that he feels that his own position is Secure. It is " not suggested. for example, that the repercussions inside Russia will be su~h that he will have tc nostnone his visit to Britain. "It should also be remembered that Mr Khrushchev’s speech is onlv one more stage in the process which has been going on ever since Stalin’s death to cMrnv the nersonalitv cult. “Repercussions Considerable” “All the same, the repercussions inside Russia will be considerable. The Russians are now told that Stalin was in effect a tvrant. Yet Mr Khrushchev and. indeed, all the present Russian leaders, including Mr Malenkov, owe th°ir promotion to him. “If Stalin is not the fountain head of a’l wisdom, )S there any reason why the Russians should have any trust in his successors?

“H is accepted that great interna! changes are going on inside Russia. These hecan with Stalin’s death. And there is now a greater flexibility in foreign policy. “But even so, whatever the tactics of the moment, no-one believes that Mr Khrushchev’s attack on Stalin heralds anv basic change in the fundamental aims of Russian foreign policy ’

Marshal Bulganin and Mr Khrushchev. Prime Minister of the Soviet Union and general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, will arrive in Britain by sea on April 18. A fairly lull programme has been arranged for them, including a visit to Scotland. They will also visit two atomic power centres, at Harwell and Calder Hall, be received by the Queen, lunch with London’s Lord and see Parliament in action. There will be a press conference, which may be televised. When Sir Anthony Eden outlined the programme in the House of Commons there were some sarcastic jibes from M.P.’s. but the reception was generally enthusiastic. Mr Hugh Gaitskell, leader of the Labour Opposition, welcomed the news and added: “We are very much of the opinion that these talks with the Russian leaders could be valuable.’’ The critics included Mr Richard Stokes, a leading Roman Catholic member of the Labour Party. He asked Sir Anthony Eden to urge the Russians to free "the many millions of slaves from concentration camns.” “We have always made clear that we are in favour of religious toleration and most strongly opposed to any form of religious persecution.” the Prime Min:ster replied. Another Labour M.P. said, amid laughter that bands providing music during the visit should he careful not to play the song “Poor Old Joe”—a reference to Josef Stalin, whose reputation is now being attacked in Russia. Cost of Tour Asked the cost of the visit. Sir Anthony Eden said: “Very much less than one m llionth part of an H-bomb.” ‘Cheers.) Mr John Peyton ‘Conservative) said the Prime Minister should tell the Russian leaders that an agreement to free elections in Germany, a less disturbing policy in the Middle East, and freedom for “satellite” countries would be more convincing than their denunciations of Stalin. “The purpose of this visit is to discuss the many issues which today divide the world.” the Prime Minister replied. “That is why in the programme we have set down a very large Amount of time for discussions. I regard that as the primary object of the visit.” Programme for Tour The programme, which has been agreed with the Russian leaders, was issued b-" the Foreign Office. It is: April 18—Arrive at Portsmouth by sea, and travel to T ondon. April 19—Sign the visitors’ bonk at Buckingham Palace, lav a wreath at the Cenotaph, and lunch at the Soviet Embassy A fter lunch they will call on Sir Anthony Eden and will later ciine with him. April 20—Talks with the Prime Minister. Luncheon at lhe Mansion House as the guests of the Lord Mavor of London, and dinner at the Royal Nava) College. Greenwich. Anril 21—Visit atomic energy centre at Harwell. Berkshire, and visit the university town of Oxford. They wi’l dine and snend the night with Sir Anthonx Eden at Chequers, his country home. April 22—The will receive the two leaders in the late afternoon. The chairman of the London Counts Council will giv° a reception in their honour in the evening. April ?3—Flv to Birmingham for a short visit and «oe the Foyal Air Force station at Markham. In the evening the leaders will dine as the guests of ‘he Labour Party. April 24-—Further talks with the Prime Minister in London. Luncheon ?s the gue« f s of the Sneaker of the House of Commons. They will be entertained to* tea bv the Lord ChanrrPor and the Sneaker of the House of Lords and will dine at the Soviet Embassy. April 25—More talks with Sir Anthonv Eden, followed by a reception given bv the Conservative Party. They will attend a special performance at Covent Garden in the evening. April 26—Visit by air to the atomic energy power station at Calder Hall and then to Edinburgh. They return to London the same night. April 27 —Depart for home.