TITO DENOUNCES SOVIET METHODS AND TRIALS

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1949, Page 5

TITO DENOUNCES SOVIET METHODS AND TRIALS

BELGRADE, October 3

Marshal Tito personally and directly accused Russia tonight of using “mysterious and monstrous methods” to force confessions from political prisoners.

Tito spoke before a group of 600 army officers and guests at the conclusion of Yugoslavia’s biggest troop manoeuvres of the year, held south of Belgrade in the Republic of Serbia.

He told his soldiers: “We are prepared to defend this country until the last breath, regardless of whence an attack comes.”

His methods to the Russian prosecution methods came in connection with the trial and death sentence of the former Hungarian Foreign Minister, Laszlo Rajk, w'ho was accused of plotting with Yugoslavia for the overthrow of his country’s Government.

Tito said: “You ' saw that everything went as it should at the trial. I do not know how one gets people to accuse themselves as much as possible, but it is certain that there is some monstrous method.”

With scornful sarcasm, Tito gibed at Russia’s political tactics and her accusations at those who did'not profess unswerving obedience to the Kremlin.