TUNISIAN PAPER STRESSES FAILURE OF STALINISM IN SATELLITES, SEES SHIFT FROM SOVIETIZATION, RUSSIFICATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700150205-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2011
• Sequence Number: 205
• Publication Date: November 26, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/13: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700150205-6
DATE DIST. ?(o Nov 1953
N0. OF PAGES 2
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
TUNISIAN PAPER STRESSES FAII,URE OF STALINISM IN SATELLITES
SEES SHIFT FROM SOVIETIZATION RUSSIFICATIOr7
There is definitely something wrong in the Soviet empire, something, that
no longer works properly. Cracks are beginning to be heard not only in
Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Rumania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia,
Lithuania, and Estonia, but also in the USSR itself. In the various republics,
"imported" administrators are being relieved of their duties en masse and re-
placed by local personnci, with a ~~iew to allaying the revolutionary Ferment
which is manifesting itself. We must not conclude, however, as some US circles
unwisely do, that the Communist world is in for an early collapse. We have not
reached that point yet.
On the other hand, it is a fact that the Kremlin finds itself' compelled to
soft-pedal its policy of systematic sovietization, and even its policy of Russi-
fication. The spectacular measures taken in Eastern Europe coald only have beeh
taken with the consent of and on official instructions from the Soviet leaders.
We wonder whether the new policy, w}:ich is beginning to shape up, is a mere tac-
tical retreat designed to enable the Soviets to overcome their current difficul-
ties. We also Taonder to what extent the promises made by them will be fulfilled
and to what extent the announced reforms will be implemented. But it is too
early to form an opinion on these points.
The explosion of popular discontent which has occurred among bfoscow's
vassals was caused by their catastrophic economic situation and the appalling
and ever worsening living conditions of their peoples. Events in~the Satellite
countries cleax?ly show the complete failure of Stalinism.
The political and economic changes made by the Satellites constitute a
repudiation of the Stalinist principles and methods of planning. In the light
of the facts, they have been compelled to acknowledge that the Stalinist theories
and practices were leading to famine and to paralysis of the production apparatus.
CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTED
CENTRAL INTE LICENCE AGENCYY
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS
COUNTRY USSR, Satellites
SUB.IECT Political
HOW
PULLISHED Daily newspaper
NJHERE
PUBLISHED Tunis
DATE
PUBLISHED 15 Jul 1953
LANGUAGE french
CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTED
STATE _ NAw _ NSRB _I DISTRIBUTION
STAT
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/13: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700150205-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/13: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700150205-6
Not only has the Kremlin-dictated policy failed to attain any of its stated
goals, but it has actually brought about results ~,?hich are diametrically the
opposite of those envisaged in the plans. Far from increasing agricultural pro-
duction, land collectivization and the kolkhoz system have caused it to decline
to such an extent that Hungary and Rumania, normally exporters of foodstuffs,
naw are unable to produce sufficient food even for themselves.
To satisfy the demands of a frenzied industrialization, it has been neces-
sary to draw more and more from farm manpower. All efforts have been concentrated
on expanding heavy industry, to the detriment of light industry and consumers'
goods production. Thus, we have the paradoxical result tY,at while more and more
plants and factories are being set up, the shortage of industrial items of prime
necessity, consumers' goods, foodstuffs, clothing, household articles, etc.,
becomes more and more acute. Meanwhile, the standard of living of the people in
the Satellite countries is declining very sharply. The only one to benefit
from this situation is the USSR, which has been receiving from the Satellites
huge amounts of various commodities at very low prices.
This system of pressure has ended up by cracking. All parts of the struc-
ture have begun to totter. It has been necessary to loosen the vise, halt col-
lectivization, slow down the development of heavy industry, and abandon at least
partly the five-year plans, which were too ambitious.
Stalinism in the Satellites is hurt to the quick, and its principles and
methods are being abandoned. In fact, the forced repudiation of the Stalinist
policy of systematic sovietization and Russification may have repercussions even
within the USSR itself. The question is whether, and by what means, the Soviets
w111 be able to halt the present trend and limit i.ts effects.
STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/13: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700150205-6