Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

861.00/3–3149: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kohler) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Moscow, March 31, 1949—5 p. m.

800. Significance important changes state and party hierarchy revealed piecemeal during March difficult assess at moment but it seems probable major reshuffle, decided upon some time ago, gradually being revealed and likely other changes will be announced near future. Considering few top level government and party changes USSR over past 10 years and particularly since end of war when almost every other country in world has experienced crises and major turnover government and personnel, it is perhaps strange these changes in Soviet Union did not come sooner. Pertinent is Malenkov’s reference in Cominform speech September 1947¹ to engagement party in operational work directing economy during war as violation fundamental tenet Bolshevik leadership. While process disengaging party from direct responsibility for executive and operational details has been in course on lower levels since end war important motive behind present reshuffle in top state and party hierarchy undoubtedly reflection of party policy as stated by Malenkov. In addition Embassy’s previous interpretations timing and motives behind individual replacements, possible that these are preliminaries connected with All Union Party Conference or Congress to be held this year.

Probable removal of Voznesensky from Politburo (reEmbtel 783 March 29)² principal “demotion” so far emerging from government and party reshuffle. Present status A. A. Kuznetsov,³ secretary CC CPSU (B.) uncertain though absence meetings Supreme Soviet and omission from apparently full published list Politburo and party secretaries elected delegates Komsomol Congress (reEmbtel 753 March 25 and A–321 March 28⁴) point his probable removal. Speculation on elimination Voznesensky and Kuznetsov as “Zhdanov men” should be viewed with caution as Suslov and Kosygin (despatch 680 September 15, 1948²) still occupy prominent positions, while Kosygin only Politburo member now with executive responsibility government department, his retention as Minister Light Industry in Soviet tradition using troubleshooter bring order into sector economy needing reorganization aimed increased production and efficiency.

Komsomol Congress has so far been productive, disappointingly few indications present status top party personnel, Newspapers March 30 merely reported Politburo “headed by Stalin” elected Honorary Presidium without listing names. Interesting note Stalin’s son, Vassily,⁵ twelfth name printed in list 19 individuals mentioned as elected 45–man Congress Presidium (reEmbtel 791, March 30²) appearing directly after political figures and just before heroes Soviet Union and Stalinovites. Published photographs Congress so far confined audience delegates.

Kohler

1. In regard to the speech by Georgy Maximilianovich Malenkov given at the meetings for the formation of the Communist Information Bureau, see telegram 2993 from Moscow on October 6, 1947, in Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. iv, footnote 10, p. 597.
2. Not printed.
3. Alexey Alexandrovich Kuznetsov had been a subordinate of Zhdanov and a Secretary in the Communist Party City Committee in Leningrad and a Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and a member of its Organizational Bureau (Orgburo) from 1946 until his dismissal.
4. Neither printed.
2. Not printed.
5. Vasily losifovich Dzhugashvili (Stalin) was an airplane pilot and in the air force of the Soviet Union during the Second World War, rising to the rank of Lieutenant General by its end, then was Chief of Aviation of the Moscow Military District, 1947–1952.
2. Not printed.