MOSCOW OBJECTS TO FEDERATION IN EAST EUROPE

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1948, Page 5

MOSCOW OBJECTS TO FEDERATION IN EAST EUROPE

Outside of the Soviet’s Control

(Rec. 7.10). LONDON, Jan. 29. The Moscow paper' “Pravda" has published a repudiation of the proposal for an East European federation and customs union, embracing the Balkan;,, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, which proposal has been made by M. Demitrov, Premier of Bulgaria, (former'iy Secretary of the Communist International). “Pravda's’ repudiation of the proposal is being watched with much interest in diplomatic quarters in London, says the “Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent.

M. Demijtrov, it is pointed out, has twice recently spoken of the “vital necessity” of such a federation, which,, he sard, wou'ld include the four Balkan States and also Hungary. Poland. and Czechoslovakia, ''and perhaps. Greece.” There would, he said, be an Alliance; then the Customs Union; and then the Federation wou'ld "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, the “Pravda” said that many of its readers had written to ask whether, uy reporting M. Demitrov’s remarks without comment, “Pravda” had meant to endorse them. "Pravda’s” reply was that they could not out give space to Comrade Demitrov’s statement; “but,” the paper added, “this does not mean that we endorse M. Demitrov’s attitude towards a Federation of a Customs Union of 'the countries mentioned. What these countries need is not'a problematic and artificial Federation or a Confederation, or a Customs Union, but the consolidation and protection of their independence and sovereignity through the mobilisation and organisation of domestic popular democratic forces.”

The Labour paper “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 seperately dependent on the Soviet Union.

The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that London diplomats think that Pravda’s attitude reflects Russia’s determination to remain leader of anv Pan-Slav movement and the Polish and Czechoslovak fears of being submerged in anv south Slav state.

Reuter’s Prague correspondent says that Czech papers display Pravda’s statement.