Soviet Leaders' Warning To West

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28258, 22 April 1957, Page 11

Soviet Leaders' Warning To West

(Rec. 10 p.m.) MOSCOW, April 20. Two top Russian leaders last night warned the West that Russia would rap the knuckles of any capitalist country attempt a Hungarylike putsch and that she could retaliate against any actions of N.A.T.O. The twin warnings came from the Soviet Communist Party chief, Mr Khrushchev, and the Defence Minister, Marshal Zhukov, at a Polish Embassy reception for a visiting Polish delegation headed by the Polish Prime Minister. Mr Cyrankiewicz. Mr Khrushchev said while proposing a toast: “We must reinforce the Oder-Neisse frontier (Poland’s post-war frontier with Germany) and we must reinforce our defence capacity. “The Oder-Neisse is our common:£rontier with you (the Polish people). If someone crosses your

frontier, this will not only be an attack against Poland, but also an attack against us.” Toasting Soviet-Polish friendship. Mr Khrushchev said: “We want to warn the capitalist countries rjot to joke with us. “Do not try to test us as you did in Hungary with the putsch. You may think of doing it, not only in Hungary but, say, in East Germany also. “But be careful—we are not saints and if necessary we can rap your knuckles.” Marshal Zhukov, speaking informally to reporters, was asked what Russia meant when she said she would strengthen the Warsaw Pact, the Communist bloc military alliance. He replied: “We will carry out all measures which will serve as retaliatory steps for the actions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. » “So all measures taken by

N.A.T.O. will be the origin of a further development of the arms race and war hysteria. “We have at our disposal adequate means to retaliate against any actions of N.A.T.0.” Then the Marshal was asked whether Britain had as much right as Russia to carry out nuclear tests. He replied without hesitation: “Of course she has. As there is still no agreement on ending tests, every State has the right to carry out tests and strengthen its defensive capacity. Self-defence is the inalienable right of every State.”