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EXEM PLAI RH N" COPY 273

ORIGINAL: FRENCH NATO SECRET IOth November » 1952 DOCUMENT AC/2U-D/16

INFORMATION POLICY WORKING GROUP

Note b,v the Secretary

There is circulated herewith for the information of delegations and consideration by the Working Group at its meeting on 12th November, 1952, a document prepared by the Secretariat on the so-called Congress which is to be held in December, 1952.36

(S i gned) H. HJORTH-NIELSEN DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED

Palais de Chaillct, , XVIe.

h AC/21+-A/7, Item III NATO SSORKT AC/2U-D/16

T:iE PEOPLES' - VIENIU

I. ANTECEDENTS The Communists repeatedly proclaim that only Communism c.an put an end to v/ar. The theme of Peace has, however, always played an important part in their propaganda and recruiting campaigns. Originally a vague general concept,, this theme received clear definition in ISATj when a Peace Campaign was launched as a movement linked with the Stalinist forces and endowed with equal or greater importance than other associated movements, such as Trades Unions, youth movements, the Women's Groups, et". In August 191+8, the World Congress of Intellectuals at Breslau decided to call a Congress in April 19A9. This Congress launched the World Movement of Partisans for Peace which at present includes: (a) the , whose President is Mr. -Joliot-Curio ; (b) the World Organization of Partisans for Pea«e, presided over by Ii». Nenni; and (c) the National Peace Councils, set up in most of the countries in which a Stalinist organization exis t s « The activities of the have included the campaign for the appeal«, and, more recently, the drive for a Five Power Pact, The Stalinists claim that more than 600 million people have given their written support to the two campaigns. Again, according to the same Stalinist sources, 55 million of these supporters were recruited in non- Stalinist countries. The Peace Fiovement can also count among its achievements the two World Congresses of Partisans for Peace - the first in Paris in April 19A9 and the second in in November 1950 and.a large number of smaller meetings.

IT. AN AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN

The Stalinists have for a long time been careful to DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED draw a distinction between Peace and . They Inave made it very clear that peace car. only be achieved at the price of intensive effort, and have never said that the struggle for peace could bo waged entirely without armed conflict. Only the "naïve" (genuinely or apparently) have taken the word "pcaco" literally.

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"The victory of in one country does not at one stroke eliminate all in general. On the contrary- it presupposes such ... in such cases a war on our part would be a legitimate and just war. It would be a war for Socialism, for the liberation of other nations from the Bourgeoisie. Engels was perfectly right when, in his letter to Kautsky, September 12th 1882, he openly admitted that it was possible for already victorious Socialism to wage 'defensive wars'". ("The Essentials of Lenin", Vol. I, •p. 727)

As early as 19^+5 > the Stalinist historian Tarle was writing:

"There have been cases in which predatory aims and the selfish exploitation of the idea of and the desire for peace have been concealed beneath the cloak of fine prin- ciples. Y/ithin living memory, the concept of disarmament has been one of the best diplomatic disguises for the true motives and intentions of those governments which have from time to time suddenly been possessed with the'Love of Peace'."

On 30th July 1952, an article in the Hungarian Stalinist newspaper "Seabad Nop" included the following passage: "Pacifists have as much chance of safeguarding peace as the ostrich with its head in the sand of escaping danger; the aim of the Pacifists is to deprive us of our weapons; Pacifism and the struggle against war are irreconcilable." The Czech Stalinist leader, Mr. Cepicka, stated ("Rude Pravo", IOth September): "The peace front neither has, nor can have, anything in common with those organisations which glorify peace, or are composed of people who refuse to fight."

III. THE PEOPLES' CONGRESS What distinguishes the 1952 peace campaign from those of previous years is the appeal to pacifists and neutralists of all possible shades. The World Peace Council, meeting in Oslo in March 1952, decided to expand the peace campaign, with a view to raking in all- those who, for any reason whatsoever, were in favour, or thought they were in favour, of maintaining peace. A

DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED meeting was held in in early July; it v/as attended by a few persons of consequence who, though not Stalinists, were openly and strongly anti-American. At this meeting it v/as decided to call a Peonies' Peace Congress in place of the scheduled 3rd World Congress of Partisans for Peace« Originally to be held in Vienna on 5th December, the Congress was postponed until 12th December, The Delegates to the Berlin meeting also decided that there should be a certain number of preparatory manifestations prior to the opening of the Peoples' Congress. NATO SECRET AC/2k-D/lb""

Despite the lack of precise information, it would seem that the Vienna Peoples' Congress (v/hich is to be attended by about 2,000 persons) is being organised by the WPTu". (World Federation of Trade Unions).

IV. APPEAL TO PACIFISTS AND NEUTRALISTS

Both in Oslo and in Berlin, the organisers particularly stressed what they called the non-political nature of the Peoples' Congress. Early in October the Stalinist Press published the correspondence between Mr. Giuseppe Nitti and Mr. Joliot-Curie, for the benefit of non-Stalinists. Mr, Nitti, who had already attended the Berlin meeting as an observer in July, wrote among other things:

"We convened an assembly in of leading parliamen- tarians s members of other pacifist and neutralist movements, ex-servicemen, federalists", etc., to discuss our possible participation in the Vienna Congress ... it was there decided"to stipulate that we would only take part on the following conditions:

1) all delegates shall be entitled to speak;

2) no member of the Congress shall be bound by resolutions for which he has not voted; 3) no names of observers or guests shall be published without the consent of the person concerned;

k) any member of the Congress may arrange private, national or international meetings on his own initiative; 5) complete translations of all papers shall be guaranteed;

6) any member of the Congress shall be entitled to give statements to the press of any country."

In his reply, Mr. Joliot-Curie affirmed among other things: "You may assure your friends that all the requests v/hich I have received from you on their behalf will be met". The Peoples' Peace Congress will be open to all who -

DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED regardless of ideology or way of life - believe that peaceful co-existence is possible, and that there is no disagreement between nations v/hich cannot be settled by negotiation."

The Partisans of Peace have stated through Mr. Nenni that "It soems desirable not to bind the coming Vienna Congress closely to the 'Partisans for Peace' Congresses, but instead, by giving this one a broader scope to bring about the partici- pation in it of those wider forces which do not agree with the attitudes of the Peace Partisans".

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In his speech, ?£r. Nenni directly appealed to Mr. 3evan to support the forthcoming Congress of the Peoples for Peace, saying "It is up to him whether he finds a way to us or not, hut we can say to him, "Mr. Bevan, we are of your opinion". In this speech and in later articles in Pravda, it was made clear that the appeal is made in the widest possible terms to all neutralist, pacifist, "third \ force" or other political groups as well as to religious groups susceptible to peace propaganda.

V. THE AIM An inspection of che statements made . in Oslo and Berlin and at the meeting's which have already taken place in preparation for the Peoples' Congress, will suffice to show that the Stalinists' chief aim is to concentrate, under their direct or indirect control, the largest possible number of groups, prominent individuals, tendencies, movements and organisations opposed to the . Hitherto, judging by those who have accepted invitations and by the organisations which, (according to information from Stalinist sources) have decided to send delegates to Vienna, it is clear that they have had no more than very mediocre success both in the English-speaking countries and in Prance. Elsewhere (in , and in the Eastern countries for example), a certain number of persons and groups have apparently been tempted by the Stalinists' invitation, but very few have decided to take part in the Peoples' Congress.

Unless there are any unforeseen changes, the Vienna Peoples' Congress is likely to create an even greater gap between the Stalinist bloc and the free world. It may accentuate the anti-Americanism of those who are subjected to Stalinist propaganda, but it is unlikely to have any noticeable effect on the situation, so far as the free world is concerned.

VI. PREPARATORY IfflETINGS A great deal of publicity was carried out at the Asian and Pacific (Congress of Peking 4th/13th October), attended by some 4U0 delegates and

DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED representatives from 37 countries. The Agenda for the Peking meeting included the following items: the defence of peace in Asia and the Pacific; the with and the evacuation of the Japanese islands; the wars in Korea, Indochina, Malaya and Burma; cultural interchange; economic problems and trade; defence of the rights of women and children; the 5-Power Pact, and the situation in the Middle East.

The final resolution declared, inter alia, that the maintenance of peace required: NATO SSCkST „C/84-D/16

(1) respect for territorial integrity and the determination of peoples;

(2) settlement of the conflicts in Koreajl Vietnam and Malaya, and the evacuation of these countries "by all foreign troops; (3) the evacuation of Japan by American troops; (4) R vigorous attack on racial and war propaganda.

In addition, the confcroncc adopted an appeal to all the peoples of the world and a resolution demanding the intensification of the campaign for the conclusion of a 5-Power Pact,

The meetings preparatory to the Vienna Congress so far held in the free countries do not appear to have had any groat influence with non-Stalinists. In the it has been announced that a committee containing a number of prominent individuals has been formed from representatives of the following groups, among others:- Psrtisands of Peace, Pollowship of Reconciliation, Prionds Peaco Committee, , . In the United States, among the members of tne organising committee (which includes representatives of a Committee for the Cessation of the War in Korea) there arc said to be Acssrs. Dubois, Howard Past, Kingsbury, Morse Lovett, Robeson, Rosebury, Mrs. Paolone and the Aovercnds Fletchcr and Uphaum. In , in addition to the activities of the Partisans of Peace, the Youth Unions, the ï/omon's Unions, etc. there is to bc a meeting on the SSnd and 23rd November of the Conference Nationale Paysanne pour la Paix.

At the meeting of the Central Committee of the World Peace Council on 16th October, the Russian writer, Mr. Ehronburg stated, in speaking before an audience of sympathisers, that the main object of the Vienna Congress was to discuss the moans of :-

DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED (1) Stopping the wars now in progress;

(2) Bringing the cold war to an end; (3) Guaranteeing security and independence for all the peoples of the world. A certain amount of publicity and a substantial organisational effort were deployed on the occasion of the Berlin Conference for a Peaceful Solution of the German Problem, which opened on 3th November. This conference encountered a number of difficulties as the Authorities of certain countries - and amongst others - refused visas to delegates and observers. NATO SECItBT AC/24-D/15

The postponement of the Vienna Congress from 5th December to 12th December is explained in the Stalinist Press as due to difficulties of a technical nature.

VII. PROBABLE AGENDA FON THE VIENNA CONGnSSS

According to information assembled by the American Authorities, it would appear that the main items on the Agenda in Vienna will be as under:-

(1) Denunciation of the Peace Treaty with Japan;

(2) denunciation of the delays, for which the negotiators are held responsible, in concluding a peace in Korea; (3) denunciation of the permanent division of Germany, which is said to be the real aim of the establishment of the European Defence Community.

The Vienna Congress will probably formulate demands for:-

(a) the withdrawal of the American forces from Japan

(b) the unification and neutrality of Germany; (c) the resumption of trade between the Soviet bloc and the so-callcd capitalist countries; (d) a settlement of the conflicts in South Eastern Asia.

VIII. POSSIBLE ACTION

The following paragraphs are taken verbatim from the paper submitted by the United Kingdom Delegation in response to the Secretariat's request :-

"Svery opportunity should be taken to make known, particularly to Left-wing, neutralist and pacifist

DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED opinion, the opportunist nature of the propaganda for the coming Peace Congress, pointing out that, while Communist tactics are infinitely flexible, the strategic coal of all Communist activity remains constant and, however it may rephrase its propaganda, the Peace Movement remains what it has always been - the servant of Soviet policy. A directive, which appeared in the journal 'For a Lasting Peace, For a People's Democracy' on 29th November, 1949, said:- 'The struggle for a stable and lasting peace, for the organisation and consolidation of the forces of peace against the forces of war, should now become the pivot of the entire activity of the Communist parties and democratic organisations.' -e- NATO SECiaT AC/24-D/f6~

Thic identity "between communism and the 'peace movement' is unchanged "by the latest shift in emphasis of peace propaganda, and it should "bo stressed that any individuals or organisations who allow themselves to "be persuaded to support tne Congress "by promises that the Congress of the Peoples for Peace will permit the effective expression of views contrary to those of the Soviet Government arc allowing themselves to "be made the dupes of communism and Soviet policy."

IX, UNITED STATES VIEW ON TREATING TH5 CONGRESS

The* United States Delegation has communicated the following paragraphs :- Thc United States approach has been arbitrarily divided into three phases:- treatment before the Congress opens, during the sessions, and after the Congress has ended.

During the first phase American information facilities will be exerted to de-bunk the Congress as sterile, hypocritical, a typical Communist effort designed to advance'Soviet imperialist aims. The Congress will be dubbed "schwindelfriedenskonfcrcnz." Great care will bc- taken net to overdo denunciation; the tone adopted will be cool and ironical.

During the sessions of the Congress American news facilities will completely ignore it. The only exception to this would be defection of a Congress delegate or the emergence of dissenting elements on the Congress floor.

We understand that the Austrians are considering various means of creating countcr-news during the Congress. Thus, there is a possibility that a pastoral letter might be read from the pulpits of Austrian churches on 7th December, setting forth real proposals for peace, e.g., a State Treaty for , an end of Soviet exploitation of Austria, opening of the slave labour camps, etc., etc; distribution of a pamphlet containing a recent "Catholikentag" speech demanding "peace of freedom not a peace of submission"« DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE LECTURE EN - MISE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ DISCLOSURE - PUBLIC DECLASSIFIED Plans for action after the Congress arc still fluid. If any of the Communist themes promoted at the Congress prove to have made any impression on the Austrian public, American information services will concentrate on exposing their falsity.