NSC BRIEFING CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING STRENGTHENS KHRUSHCHEV'S HAND

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000400070003-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: July 13, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

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CENTRE&L COMMITTEE MEETING STRENGTHENS KHRUSHCHEV'S HAND
Recently concluded Central Committee Meeting, held from 4
to 12 July, marks further and significant consolidation of
Khrushchev's position.
A, Both new full members of the all-powerful party Presi-
dium have been associated with Khrushchev for many
years,
1, A, I, Kirichenko, Ukrainian party boss, worked
under Khrushchev in Ukraine from 1938 to 1949,
a. Kirichenko attained position of power at cen-
ter as candidate member of the Presidium-fm lase:
year during the rapid Khrushchev rise which
resulted in Malenkov demotion.
2, M, A, Suslov, party secretary, has worked with
Khrushchev in secretariat since 1949,
Appointment of at least two of three new Party secre-
taries also reflects Khrushchev's hand.
1, D, T. Shepilov, Pravda editor, has accompanied
Khrushchev on visits to Peiping and Belgrade, ap-
parently acting as ideological expert.
2, N. I. Belyayev, first secretary of Altai Krai, is
an expert in agriculture, Khrushchev's present
hobbyhorse.
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a. Belyayev championed an aggressive agricul-
tural program before one was presented to
Central Cor,~:mittee by Khrushchev in February
1954.
3, A, B. Aristov, other appointee, now first secre-
tary in Khabarovsk Krai, has had career like fever
chart of malaria patient,
a, He shot to the top at 19th Party Congress in
1952 as member both of expanded Presidium
and secretariat,
b, Dropped to bottom after Stalin's death when
Presidium and secretariat cut back.
c, Varied associations and strange career make
it difficult to assess significance of his
appointment,
II, Central Committee also heard a report on convening the 20th
.{t, be r Q 1~ v>n I't F_e~atEujqP. ' %9 5A6.
Party Congress, but no dette was ftn2iou"ed-v
A, This = -te be another move in Khrushchev's favor.
2, 4*obftble early calling of Congress gives Khrushchev
opportunity to consolidate further by striking
while iron is hot and he is in ascendency,
3, If he is able at Congress to secure election of
Central Committee subservient to him, will have
achieved an almost impregnable position as most
powerful member of Presidium.
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III. Timing of Central Committee meeting and clear implication
of its decisions supports contention that Premier Bulganin
going to Geneva as chief of state in name only,
A. Underscores fact that power in Soviet Union still
firmly controlled by the party, led by its First Secre-
tary, N, S, Khrushchev,
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