851.00B/10–248: Telegram
The Ambassador hi France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
5173. Summary of report September 30 meeting CP Political Bureau, which Interior Ministry showed us yesterday, follows. Full text will be submitted by M. A.… High Interior official categorically affirmed his belief authenticity this report.
Begin summary. Duclos reports on conversation lie and Fajon1 had with Vyshinski2 September 25, Vyshinski told them that economic domination Western Europe by ITS through ERP will soon be followed by US military domination and it is clear whole area is now being organized as a military base in preparation aggressive war against Soviet Union. Military Staff Committee of Western Union is completely dominated by Washington and receives its directives from there. Vyshinski asks that the Communist parties this area back to hilt Russia’s peace policy according to Com inform directives and exert every effort stop US imperialism.
[Page 662]Duclos then reports subsequent conversation he had with Bogomolov.3 Latter told him that struggle against ERP must be intensified. Vast propaganda efforts must be made against the American war policy. Soviet Union knows financial difficulties of French Communist Party and will give much more substantial help than has been true recently. However, USSR considers it absolutely necessary that Communists reenter French Government.
Continued social agitation and ensuing vertical economic collapse will very soon show need for Communist participation in French Government. Duclos then told Bogomolov he would need 16,000,000 francs a day for the coal strike, and Bogomolov replied that he would make every effort to get this sum on the condition that Duclos could guarantee that fighting spirit of miners would be maintained. He added he had no tactical advice to give on ways and means but result he expected was reentry of French Communists into government.
General discussion followed Duclos’ report his conversations with two Russians. Prospects for mine strike were considered good and it was hoped Russians would provide money they had promised although there was money enough for a while. 16,000,000 francs daily would be needed for first three days, after which a gradually increasing sum would be required since it would be necessary take care of everybody thrown out of work regardless of union affiliations. At the end of three weeks 30,000,000 francs daily would be needed. Hope was expressed that the strikes would spread to metallurgy and to transport although it looked doubtful that a transport stoppage could be complete because of the railway workers. It was decided support dockers to halt on same basis as miners. Waldeck-Rochet appointed organize food supplies through CP rural centers.
Meeting then drafted statement for publication.
End Summary.
Sent Department 5178; repeated Moscow 506.