Reported Soviet Threat

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28105, 22 October 1956, Page 11

Reported Soviet Threat

Polish sources said tonight that the Soviet Communist Party chief <Mr Nikita Khrushchev) had threatened to bring in Russian troops if the Polish Communist Party dropped Marshal Rokossovski from its new Politbureau.

Mr Khrushchev and three other top Soviet leaders arrived in Warsaw yesterday while the central committee of the Polish United Workers’ (Communist) Party was meeting to elect s new Politbureau. or ruling group.

Reports in Warsaw said the new Politbureau would not have included Marshal Rokossovski. the Polish-born Russian general, who commands the Polish Army, and other men believed to be asainst “democratisation” of the Polish State. Right-wing Socialists said today that the marshal, who is believed to be against liberalisation, was unpopular in Poland, where he remains a symbol of Soviet power. . , _ Other Polish sources said the Russians were “repulsed” when they came to dictate to the Poles as to who should sit on the Polish Politbureau. They said that uninvited guests were not allowed to attend the talks, which instead were adiourned. A delegation was appointed to talk to them When the committee resumed its meeting today. Mr Gomulka mapped out the more liberal path he felt Poland must take during the coming years. “Like a Bombshell The group from Moscow dropped from the skies like a bombshell, as the Polish committee met to decide vital issues on future relations between Russia and Poland, accordingtn the Warsaw correspondent of The He said that Mr Khrushchev and ether Soviet leaders must have been viewing with some misgiving the enthusiasm with which the Poles. Comrrunist and non-Communist alike, have been throwing themselves into the task of demolishing Stalinism. The reaction to Mr Khrushchev s arrival was not likely to be enthusiastic. but much would depend w whether he had come bearing gifts, or to thumn the table. The “Daily Mail” said that Mr Khrushchev was confronted with a series of revolutionary demands drawn up by Mr Gomulka—which would mean almost complete freedom for Poland. ... - n Urgent talks began with the Polish Premier immediately after the Rus ‘ sian party's arrival, and six hours later the row was still going on, the newspaper reported. Mr Khrushchov, alarmed by FO; land’s rapid “flight from Stalin, wanted at all cost to keep out Mr Gomulka, who stood for independence from Moscow, and a softer line which would obviate outbreaks like tht- recent Poznan riots.

But one Warsaw newspaper CO , I P‘ mented today that speculation in the West about the possibility of cracks in the Polish-Soviet alliance were delusions.

The newspaper, “Zycie Warszawy,’’ said some politician. in Western Europe thought that the process of “democratisation” through which Poland was passing was weakening the country’s socialist system. Sharp criticism in Poland against the cult-of-the-individual period had stimulated such speculations. But, the newspaper added, repudiation of this cult by the Soviet Communist Party had strengthened the Soviet-Polish alliance. Three men ousted with Mr Gomulka in 1949 were also brought back to the central committee today. They are Mr Marian Spychalski, Mr Ignacy LogaSowinski, and Mr Zenon Kliszko. Mr Loga-Sowinski is now secretary of the Central Council of Trade Unions. Mr Kliszko is Vice-Minister of Justice. Mr Spychalski was regarded as Mr Gomulka’s second in command when he was arrested.