MOSCOW TALKS MOST INTIMATE OF WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25673, 23 October 1944, Page 5

MOSCOW TALKS

MOST INTIMATE OF WAR

SOLUTION OF POLISH QUESTION

(Rec 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20. An official communique on the Moscow conversations says: “Meetings were held in Moscow from October 9 to October 18 between Mr Churchill and Mr Eden, representing the United Kingdom, and Marshal Stalin and Mr Molotov, assisted by political and milltary advisers. Unfolding military plans, which were agreed upon at Teheran, were comprehensively reviewed in the light of recent events and the conclusions of the Quebec Conference on the war in Western Europe, and the utmost confidence was expressed in the future progress of Allied operations on all fronts. “A free and intimate exchange of views took place on. many political questions of common interest, and important progress was made towards a solution of the Polish question, which was closely discussed between the British and Russian Governments. They held consultations with the Prime Minister, M. Mikolajczyk, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Romer, of the Polish Government, and the president of the National Council and the chairman of the Committee for National Liberation at Lublin. These discussions notably narrowed differences and dispelled misconceptions. “ The conversations, continuing on the outstanding points in the march of events in South-east Europe fully considered the agreement which was reached on remaining points in the Bulgarian armistice terms. The two Governments agreed to pursue a joint policy in Jugoslavia which is designed to concentrate all their energies against the retreating Germans and to bring about a solution of Jugoslav internal difficulties by a union between the Royal Jugoslav Government and the National Liberation Movement. The right of the Jugoslav peoples to settle their future Constitution for themselves after the war is, of course, recognised as inalienable. ~ - ... ~ “The meeting took place with the knowledge and approval of the United States Government, which was represented by Mr W. A. Harriman, acting in the capacity of observer.’ . It is the unanimous opinion in Mpscow that Mr Churchill’s visit is one of the landmarks in the entire history of British and Russian relations, says the Exchange Telegraph Moscow correspondent. The conference is regarded as the most important and most intimate of the war. M. Mikolajczyk, who left for London to-day, is expected to return to Moscow in a few days. He is reported to be confident that the Poles in London will give him a mandate for the construction of a unified Government. Seen off by Marshal Stalin and Mr Molotov, Mr Churchill, Mr Anthony Eden, and party left Moscow yesterday morning following the talks in Moscow. This is the first time, says a Moscow correspondent, that Marshal Stalin has seen anyone off from the airfield. Others present were Mr Vishinsky, Mr Maisky, and dominion representatives. Before the departure Mr Churchill said: “Marshal Stalin and comrades gathered here, I have come to the end of a most strenuous and at the same time very pleasant visit to Moscow. We have worked very hard. We have been a council of workmen and soldiers, but the generous hospitality and cordial friendship with which we were welcomed and which has been sustained has left me and my colleague, Mr Eden, with the most pleasant memories of these serious days.”