760F.61/9–148
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Central European Affairs (Williamson)1
Your attention is called to the increasing number of rumors from Czechoslovakia concerning the possibility that the Soviet Union may absorb Czechoslovakia and make it one of the component states in the Soviet system. These rumors date back to May 1948 (Praha’s 742 of May 10 and 747 of May 11). Recently further reports have been received on the same subject (Praha’s 1326, August 18, 1364, August 27, and Airgram 636 of August 17).2 All reports received since May state that “spontaneous” demonstrations are planned to demand inclusion of Czechoslovakia in the Soviet Union. These rumors are now linked with the current discussions on the German question and uniformly state that in the event of any break between East and West on Germany that the demonstrations will take place. One report states that the “popular demand” for annexation will be made on October 28 to coincide with the Czechoslovak Independence Day.
The origin of these rumors is not known but intelligence sources state that they have had a uniform circulation throughout Czechoslovakia. They are comparable to similar rumors which have been circulated in all satellite states. With respect to Czechoslovakia the circulation of these rumors may be a deliberate act on the part of some circles of the Communist Party. If the Soviets are contemplating such action in the event of an East-West break on Germany, the circulation of rumors concerning annexation would be one way of testing the popular reaction in Czechoslovakia to such an act. Certain sources within the Politburo of the Party are in close touch with Moscow. It is known that Zápotocký, the Prime Minister, and Slánský, the Secretary General of the Party, are not only in close touch with Moscow but support fervently the entire Cominform line. The other wing of the Party represented by such people as Gottwald, the President, and Clementis, the Foreign Secretary, have a more distinct nationalistic bias than the other members of the Politburo. It may be possible that a potential situation exists within Czechoslovakia for the same type [Page 758] of conflict with the Cominform as recently took place in Yugoslavia.3 If that is true, the circulation of rumors concerning annexation might; play an important role in the differences of opinion between the two groups in the Party.
It is not known whether the Soviet Union intends to annex Czechoslovakia in the near future or in the event of a break between the East and West. The coordination of Czechoslovak institutions with Soviet institutions has not progressed as rapidly as in Bulgaria and Rumania. On the other hand, the present dominant leaders in the Party, Zápotocký and Slánský, would not oppose such a development if the Soviet authorities so decided.
It is recommended that Mr. Armstrong4 request that the tracking down of such rumors and evaluation of their sources be made a priority task of our intelligence services.
- This memorandum was circulated to John D. Hickerson, Director of the Office of European Affairs, Jacob D. Beam, Chief of the Division of Central European Affairs, and Robert G. Hooker, Jr., Associate Chief of the Division of Eastern European Affairs.↩
- None of the documents under reference in this paragraph are printed.↩
- For documentation regarding the interest of the United States in the conflict between the Cominform and Yugoslavia, see pp. 1054 ff.↩
- W. Park Armstrong, Jr., Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Research and Intelligence.↩