Russia, Apparently, Does Not Want Federation Of Eastern European Countries

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 January 1948, Page 5

Russia, Apparently, Does Not Want Federation Of Eastern European Countries

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.) Received 9 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 29 Repudiation by “Pravda,” regarded as the most authoritative press mouthpiece of the Soviet Government, cf a proposal for an East European Federation, made by the Prime Minister of Bulgaria (Dimitrov), is being watched with much interest in diplomatic quarters in London, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent. t

Dimitrov, it is pointed out, has twice recently spoken of “the vital necessity” of such a federation, which he said would include the four Balkan States and also Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia, “and perhaps Greece.” There would, he said, be an alliance,, then a Customs union, and then the federation would "take the shape of a State." Such words and proposals are clearly not to Moscow's liking, says “The Times’ ” diplomatic correspondent. In its statement yesterday “Pravda" said many readers had written to ask whether, by reporting Dimitrov’s remarks without comment, "Pravda" had meant to endorse them? “Pravda’s" reply was that they could not but give space to Comrade Dimitrov's statement, but the paper added: “This does not mean we endorse Dimitruv’s attitude, towards a federation or a Customs union of the countries mentioned. What these countries need is not a problematic and artificial federation, or confederation, or customs union, but the consolidation and protection of their independence and sovereignty through the mobilisation and organisation of domestic popular democratic forces.”

would be closely allied with Moscow, but it would be a force to be reckoned with, and if the Soviet Government had in fact given the scheme its blessing it would have departed from Russia's traditional policy in eastern Europe.

The "Daily Herald’s" diplomatic correspondent describes “Pravda's statement as a clear warning to Russia's eastern neighbours that there is to,.be no federation, and that they are to remain separately dependent on the Soviet Union.

“Pravda’s strong opposition to the movement for establishing an east European Federation seems to answer a question often raised in recent months, namely whether the Soviet really, wishes its neighbours to federate and so form a potentially powerful state, says “The Times’ ’’ diplomatic correspondent. Such a State