59. Editorial Note
On May 17, the Operations Coordinating Board’s Special Working Group on Stalinism, chaired by Deputy Assistant Secretary Jacob Beam, submitted to the Board for transmission to the National Security Council a summary report on United States policy guidance and actions to be taken to exploit the anti-Stalin campaign in the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc in Eastern Europe. For text of the report, see volume XXIV, page 99.
The report listed as an objective of the campaign to exploit anti-Stalinism a loosening of the ties that bound the satellites to the Soviet Union and the creation of conditions which would permit the evolution of independence. As part of the guidance for relevant agencies, the report encouraged pressure for greater freedom in the satellites and exploitation of intraparty dissension and differences with the Soviet Union.
The special report of May 17 was considered at the May 23 Operations Coordinating Board meeting and was noted by the Board and approved for forwarding to the NSC. (Notes by Richards; Department of State, OCB Files: Lot 62 D 430, Preliminary Notes)