the situation to the advantage of the free world in order to secure agreements; but we should be wise to assume that Soviet ultimate objectives have not changed. (ii) We should continue to build up our defensive strength and avoid unnecessary provocation. (iii) We should avoid both in policy and propaganda any action that would give the Soviet people the impression that the West is implacably hostile whatever conciliatory gestures their leaders may make. (iv) Though the recent Soviet gestures can only be regarded as a change of tactics, Western firmness over a prolonged period of time could alter Soviet foreign policy more radically by making it difficult for the Soviet Government to revert to their aggressive tactical methods. ANNEX D The Death of Stalin and Sino-Soviet Relations 1. So little is known of the relationship between China and the Soviet Union that it is not yet possible to do more than speculate on how it will be affected by death. The following paragraphs are no more than Stalin’s preliminary reflections. 2. The Chinese Communist Party achieved power in China largely by its own efforts. The relationship of China to the Soviet Union has been that of a junior partner rather than of a satellite. It is at present equally in the national interests of both countries that the alliance should continue. Sharing the same ideology, they pursue the same aims by the same means. 3. China has assumed the major undertaking of a five-year plan for economic reconstruction and until now has combined this with the burden of continuing the Korean war. Both of these depend on Soviet assistance; and even
the situation to the advantage of the free world in order to secure agreements; but we should be wise to assume that Soviet ultimate objectives have not changed. (ii) We should continue to build up our defensive strength and avoid unnecessary provocation. (iii) We should avoid both in policy and propaganda any action that would give the Soviet people the impression that the West is implacably hostile whatever conciliatory gestures their leaders may make. (iv) Though the recent Soviet gestures can only be regarded as a change of tactics, Western firmness over a prolonged period of time could alter Soviet foreign policy more radically by making it difficult for the Soviet Government to revert to their aggressive tactical methods. ANNEX D The Death of Stalin and Sino-Soviet Relations 1. So little is known of the relationship between China and the Soviet Union that it is not yet possible to do more than speculate on how it will be affected by Stalin’s death. The following paragraphs are no more than preliminary reflections. 2. The Chinese Communist Party achieved power in China largely by its own efforts. The relationship of China to the Soviet Union has been that of a junior partner rather than of a satellite. It is at present equally in the national interests of both countries that the alliance should continue. Sharing the same ideology, they pursue the same aims by the same means. 3. China has assumed the major undertaking of a five-year plan for economic reconstruction and until now has combined this with the burden of continuing the Korean war. Both of these depend on Soviet assistance; and even
1953-04-09-FO-memorandum-Stalin-death.docx