Microfilm telegram files, “Moscow FY 1953”
No. 541
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the Soviet
Union1
622. Following are Department’s views for NAC discussion doctors’ plot January 26 (Polto 1209):2
While it is too soon to attempt to estimate the full meaning of the charges in the doctors’ plot, two most-likely hypotheses are (1) that it primarily represents a dramatic effort to increase vigilance and tighten discipline among Soviet people, or (2) that it reflects political or power problem in top Soviet hierarchy.
The alleged murder of two Politburo members and the alleged attempt on the lives of selected top Soviet military personnel would [Page 1074] seem to indicate that this affair will not be completed with the trial and execution of the nine doctors involved. The manner in which this plot is being handled, the emphasis in current Soviet propaganda on the continued existence of enemies within the Soviet state, need for vigilance, et cetera, the nature of the accusations against the state security organs “and their leaders” are reminiscent in certain respects of the techniques employed in the great purge of 1936 through 1939. There is no ground as yet, however, for believing that the new purges forecast by this doctors’ plot would exceed in magnitude irrationality that of the 30’s. Under the criteria of previous Stalinist purges of this nature, doctors are [illegible] of foreign intelligence intrigues plus, in this case, Zionism is too vague and indefinite to provide the chief instigating force for the doctors’ actions. There is therefore a missing link which should logically in the light of past experience be supplied by a political figure who will turn out to have been the instigator of the doctors’ actions. The Bukharin trial of 1938 established the precedent which may be followed in this case, that [illegible] of itself who puts doctors up to medical murders. If this is the beginning of purge process at all comparable to that of ‘30’s present situation would appear be indication of some political or power problem involving top leadership of Soviet Union and logical consequences of Stalin’s decision against one fraction or individual who, under requirements of Soviet system, must therefore be liquidated and discredited along with their or his adherents.
Whichever hypothesis is correct, following points also should be noted:
- 1.
- Most tangible result so far has been Soviet exploitation doctors’ plot for drastically intensified drive for heightened security and discipline with all propaganda and notable Lenin anniversary focussed on need for vigilance and renewal class war attitudes.
- 2.
- A second positive component is anti-Semitic manifestations. While we believe it now unquestionable that anti-Semitism has become device to be used openly by Soviet rulers, we tend regard this aspect still secondary to other considerations. We also believe this not strict anti-Semitism in usual sense but rather that Jews in communist world have now begun to feel full force of Stalin’s compulsion ruthlessly root out all elements with potential “international” outlook and links with outside world. Perhaps noteworthy that to date Soviet overt propaganda to Arab States has not widely exploited anti-Semitic potential of Slansky trial or doctors’ plot.
- 3.
- We confidently expect further purges and show trials in satellites particularly Rumania, Poland and Hungary.
- 4.
- The problem of succession which with the passage of time is moving from the theoretical to the real undoubtedly constitutes an additional element of tension if our second hypothesis is correct.
- 5.
- We do not have sufficient information at moment to justify estimate of what relation this purge may have to Soviet foreign policy, though possibilities speculation this regard are manifest.
- Drafted by Bohlen and Boster (EE) and cleared with EUR/RA and DRS. Sent to Paris as telegram Topol 761 and repeated for information to London, Moscow, Bonn, and Rome.↩
- Not printed. Regarding the so-called “doctors’ plot”, see footnote 2, Document 539.↩