Doubts about Mr K.’s memory

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 15

Doubts about Mr K. ’s memory

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copynght) NEW YORK, November 23. “Newsweek” magazine says that there is evidence that the forthcoming book “Khrushchev Remembers” was concocted by the Soviet intelligence service (K.G.8.) on instructions from higher authority.

The book, said to be made up of reminiscences by the former Soviet Prime Minister (Mr Nikita Khrushchev) is to be published next month with excerpts appearing in “Life" magazine. “Newsweek” quotes a Western-based Soviet expert as saying: “It looks very likely that the material they have is a K.G.B. production compiled and issued without Khrushchev’s knowledge or permission, from what may be the archives or records of what he has said at one time or another plus, apparently, some tapes of the man himself."

It adds that the reported deal between a Soviet journalist, Victor Louis, correspondent for the London “Evening News,” was almost certainly with K.G.B. approval. “Newsweek” says that the central question is why the K.G.B. has decided to release the documents, a disorganised collection called “The Jones Project,” now. "Most Kremlinologists agree that K.G.B. chief, Yuri Andropov, is not powerful

enough to make such a critical decision without authorisation from higher up, which means the Politburo or some faction within it,” the magazine added. “Newsweek” ■ offers two theories on why the action was taken by the Politburo. Experts believe it likely, “Newsweek” says, “Moscow hopes that the furore over the Khrushchev book may cast doubts on the authenticity of all underground writing coming out of Russia.” It was equally possible, the magazine said, that the release resulted from “an arcane power struggle” between moderates and conservatives jockeying for position before an important Communist Party congress in March. “Thus, Khrushchev’s antiStalinist memoirs may have been released in order to check neo-Stalinist tendencies. Or, conversely, hardliners may have planted the recollections in the West as a means of discrediting the moderates as anti-Soviet in the eyes of their comrades,” “Newsweek” said.