DISMISSALS IN MOSCOW

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 11

DISMISSALS IN MOSCOW

Khrushchev’s Grip Now Firmer

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.)

LONDON, July 4.

Mr Khrushchev’s grip on the Kremlin is now firmer than ever—that was the general world verdict today on last night’s dramatic news of the dismissal of four top Soviet leaders from the party hierarchy.

Last night’s Moscow Radio announcement of this development together with the news that the former Foreign Minister, Mr Dmitri Shepilov, has been removed from his post as a Secretary of the party s Central Committee, dominated the London newspapers.

The three top leaders removed from their directing posts as members of the Communist Party Presidium were Mr Vyacheslav Molotov, Mr Georgi Malenkov and Mr Lazar Kaganovich (who was Stalin’s brother-in-law).

In most capitals the news came as a complete surprise. Many Western statesmen said they thought the Soviet leadership shake-up would usher in a new era of improved East-West relations.

Some diplomatic quarters viewed the move as an indication that Mr Khrushchev and his supporters had vanquished the “Old Stalinist Guard” to counteract the effect made on the world by Russia's intervention in Hungary. Not only the Western nations, but the Communists welcomed the changes. The East German Communist Party praised the expulsion move. Jugoslav Communists. l° n S target of Moscow criticism for adopting an independent Communist line, greeted the changes enthusiastically. Reactions in world capitals were:—

PARIS: The news caused something of a sensation in the French capital, where diplomatic quarters expressed the opinion that Marshal Bulganin and Mr Khrushchev were not resigned to the prolonged isolation of the Soviet Union, which might be caused by the United Nations report on Hungary. THE HAGUE: The Dutch Premier (Mr Willem Drees) labelled the changes as proof of the existence of tension among Russia’s top leaders stemming from Soviet foreign policy. ROME: “11 Popolo,” organ of the Italian Christian Democrat (Government) Party, summed up its views—“ Khrushchev is the boss now.”

BONN: Government circles said the dismissals were evidence of continued tension and strife in the Soviet Communist Party. BERLIN: The East German Communist Party, informed in advance of the Soviet action, praised the expulsion decision as a clear indication of Russia’s “MarxistLeninist policy.” BELGRADE: Foreign observers said Mr Khrushchev might now make new efforts to improve Soviet-Jugoslav relations. President Tito and his colleagues were certain to welcome the dismissal of Mr Molotov, who joined with Stalin in 1948 in expelling Jugoslavia from the Cominform.