DEAR MR. KERSTEN:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00682R000300030083-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 3, 2003
• Sequence Number: 83
• Publication Date: February 4, 1954
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved or Release 2004/01/20 : CIA-RDP91-O %82R000300030083-8
February 4, 1954
The Honorable Charles J. Kersten
House of Representatives
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Kersten:
Thank you for your expression of appreciation for the
assistance this Committee and the Baltic Committees, which
work with us, accorded the House Baltic Committee during
its recent hearings.
We have indeed been able to observe reactions from Mos-
cow in Pravda and. in the puppet press and radio broadcasts
of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. I should like to mention
particularly the testimony of Mr. .Alfred.s Berzins which
elicited a reaction from Moscow second only to that called
forth by the testimony of Secretary of State Dulles. Seldom,
if ever, has an emigre political leader from one of the cap-
tive countries been attacked in the pages of Pravda itself.
And, as you know, several threats were made by telephone to
Mr. Berlins, who is a member of the Committee for a Free
Latvia which is connected with our Division of Exile Relations.
The fact that Berzins slipped through their fingers and is
carrying on anti-Communist activities abroad. seems to be a
very sore point with the Soviets.
As you know, Radio Free Europe is constantly engaged in
keeping resistance strong and hope alive in the captive na-
tions. Every endeavor of the sort which the amendment to
H.R. 346 envisions constitutes news which is an invaluable
addition to our broadcasts. I believe the House Baltic
Committee hearings were useful in broadcasts to the Baltic
countries, and I heartily agree that an expansion of the
inquiry of the House Baltic Committee to the other satellite
areas would be consistent with the objectives of the National
Committee for a Free Europe and all other organizations en-
gaged in this field.
This Committee has been pleased to support the House
Baltic Committee in its recent undertakings, and I assure
you, sir, that we are at your disposal for any future
assistance It is within our capacity to extend.
Sincerely yours,
President-.-
Approved For Release 2004/01/20 : CIA-RDP91-00682R0003ft,00572003