SOVIET AND SATELLITE RADIO REACTIONS TO ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLAY'S ANTI-TOTALITARIAN INFORMATION PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04864A000100040004-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 15, 1998
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: May 20, 1998
• Content Type: REPORT

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fatherland which we do not wish to see again in fascist bands,
2670" r
We therefore say calmly-
to those who once more wish to subject our people to_anti..communist agitation resulting
in another catastrophes QDo what you feel compelled to do, but do not rejoice too
earlyda" (quotation from KW= DRUTSC LAND, broadcast by the USSR-controlled Berlin
radios 5 November 1947)
Clay "Bans" Blliott Roosevelt, But Aot Pornograpltvg Instead of proclaiming; the
allegedly "democratic" character of Communism and defending it in terms of its claimed
non-totalitarian attributes, the Soviet radio attempts to blacken American policy by
reports of American actions which Moscow interprets as repressive and anti-democratic.
Attention is called to the "banning' of the Cultural League in the U0S,, sector of Berlin
*only one day after Gen, Clay ads his statement," Clay is identified with the loyalty
tests in Washington, "01 do not intend to keep any of the personnel that does not agree
with the United States MG opinions and that is against the views on which military
government to based,' declared Gen. Clay, It is obvious that Gen, Clay has just returned
from the United States, where the so-called 'loyalty testO of all civil servants is
being carried out in all haste," There is an ironic reference to Clay's interest in arts
" A- the way, Gen, Clay has shown himself as a patron of the sciences, literature, and
art,. He permits, for instance, in the zone entrusted to him, the circulation of U.S,
pornographic literature, but Tlliott Roosevelt's book and others are banned,"* (Moscow,
in Germ, 3 November)
There is also a reference to Franklin D. Roosevelt, as if to invoke his name in
opposition to all forms of "fascism" including that attributed to Gen, Clay; "From the
point of view of strengthening the democratic forces in Germany and establishing a
peaceful and democratic GermwW, which was the aim of Rooseveltes policy, the policy
which is being followed today in the U.,S, zone is completely incomprehensible-"
(commentary by Heins Schmidt, Director of the USSR controlled Berlin Radio, 2 November
1947)
(The above quotation illustrates a general characteristic of Soviet propaganda,
*Moscow does not give any background for the interpretation that Elliott Roosevaltus
book has been "banned." It should be noted, however, that similar interpretations have
previously been made when a particular book was not includ,#jd on the accession list of the
American information service or when American aid was not given to having it translated,
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12G7 02.
which is relevant to the Soviet-coveters role of representing "democracy." It is not
argued that the Soviet Union to democratic, No reference whatever Is made to the question
of the extent of civil rights in the USSR or its satellites, Attention is simply con-=
centrated on the real or alleged undemocratic practices of the enemy, and words are
tanipulated in such a. way as to suggest that the Identification of the Soviet Union
with democracy is completely self-evident, "From the point of view of strengthenleg
the. democratic forces of Germany,.,, the policy which is being followed (by the U.S,,)
is completely incomprehensible,")
c) A West-German State Made "Palatable" by the "Anti-Bolshevist Bogey'.- Clay o
campaign is tied up with the currently predominant theme of German unity and with the
coming London Conference, by describing it as a way of justifying the division of Germany
which is elsewhere said to be the probable outcome of the conference. There are
references to the "west-German state,, which one tries to make palatable to us by using
the. anti-Communist bogey." There is also a tie-up with the unity theme by picturing
the anti-Communist campaign as intensifying the split between East and Wasts "Germans
have the most Immediate cause for anxiety, since Germany is in the center of the
magnetic field where-to all appearances-tension is growing The line between East and
West, which is becoming ever more clearly visible,, will also run straight through
Germany.," "The spreading of cAmerican& ideas and the campaign against flun-American",
ideas in Germany may be deliberate steps on the road to the division of Germany." (Berlin.,
USSR controlled, 27,1 October 1847)
d) Clay vs. Potsdam, Land Reform, Social Insurance,, etc 8 The announcement of ClrnyLis
program is made the occasion for a general review of the evils of American administration
in general and Clay0s record in particulars
distinguished himself in Germany In a very strange manner. As military governor of the
U?S,; occupation zone, he wae.responsible for fulfilling the Potsdam decisions,, But
the peasants have not received any land,, and land remained with the landowners. The
enterprises in the zone entrusted to him are in the hands of German war criminals, and
many of the undertakings have been transferred to U.S,_. monopolists. In the sphere cif
social policy, General Clayce military government has left no noticeable imprint,
General Clay has not introduced equal pay for equal work for women and. Juveniles., Social
insurance is only a dream in the UQS, zone,
"In the economic sphere General Clay
Dis,guist.- under the slogan 9 fight
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against Communism.,` he 9#I11 eradicate the weak shoots of demoeraa- which have developed
in the UoS? occupation zone in spite of all obstacles." (Moscow, in Germano 3
November 1947)
The United Stetes itself is also attacked on miscellaneous grounds "Maybe
General Clay will present to the Germans the achievements of U,S, democracy at home,
1kybe he will tell them about lynching and the UnSo precedence over Germany in the
matter of racial faxnaticismo,po" (Mo.=*' in Polish;, 11 November 1947)
RFJEENCF CFTTFP l Ig,PARY
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