DEATH OF NAGY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28620, 24 June 1958, Page 13

DEATH OF NAGY

Poland Sends Protest (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)' (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 23. The Polish Communist leader, Mr Wladyslsw Gomulka had sent a letter to Moscow dissociating himself and the Polish party from the execution of the former Hungarian Premier, Imre Nagy, reliable reports reaching Lon- , don said today, according to the United Press International. Reliable sources said the letter was sent from Warsaw to Moscow during last week and that it undoubtedly was addressed to the Soviet Premier, Mr Khrushchev. The letter expressed disappointment that Mr Gomulka and the Polish party were not consulted on the sentences passed on Mr Nagy, Defence Minister General 1 Pal Maleter and two other heroes of the Hungarian revolution. Mr Gomulka wrote that if the Polish party had been consulted it would not have approved the sentence of execution, the sources said. Informed sources in Lqndon also said there might be a shake-up within the Polish Communist Party soon, as a result of the Nagy execution. They said a “bloodless purge” would result in the elimination

of a number of Stalinists and a consolidation of Mr Gomulka’s hold on the party. These reports were in direct conflict to rumours which swept Warsaw at the week-end that Mr Gomulka would be ousted in favour of an old Stalinist.

Although neither party nor Government officials in Warsaw would comment, the rumours said that Mr Gomulka would be replaced by Mr Franciszek Mazur, the former Deputy Prime Minister, who was now Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

Warsaw reported today there has been no sign that such a move to oust Mr Gomulka had gained momentum and said the lack of any further information or action indicated it simply was a rumour.

The reports said Mr Gomulka was to be ousted because of his stand on Mr Nagy and his continued support for Jugoslavia’s Marshal Tito. But the letter to Mr Khrushchev indicated Mr Gomulka felt certain enough of his position to bring his disgust at the Nagy incident into the open.