Letter addressed by N.S. Khrushchev, First Secretary of the CC of the CPSU to the CC of the RWP concerning the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the Romanian territory

TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE ROMANIAN WORKERS' PARTY

Comrade Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej

Dear Comrades,

The Central Committee of the CPSU would like to consult with you on the further stationing of the Soviet troops on the territory of the Romanian People's Republic.

As you know, at those times, our countries' parties and governments, in view of the situation obtaining by then, reached the unanimous opinion that the Soviet troops should temporarily be stationed on the territory of the Romanian People's Republic. The stay of the Soviet troops on your country's territory served both the interests of the Romanian People's Republic and the interests our common cause and till recently it proved, undeniably, necessary and consistent with its aim.

At present, the situation changed radically. The peace-loving policy of the countries belonging to the socialist camp made possible a certain détente of international tension. The Romanian People's Republic scored big successes in socialist building and in strengthening its people's democracy system. Romania possess now reliable armed forces, able to respond to the imperialists' challenges, to defend the Romanian people's socialist conquests and make its contribution to the cause of defending the common interests of the socialist camp.

Therefore, in our opinion, the stationing of Soviet troops on the territory of the Romanian People's Republic is no longer necessary.

We should add that imperialist circles, in order to serve their anti-Soviet propaganda and to slander the Romanian People's Republic, make large use of the fact that Soviet troops are still stationed on your country's territory.

In view of all that, the Central Committee of the CPSU considers that we should discuss as soon as possible the question of withdrawing the Soviet armed forces from the territory of the Romanian People's Republic, solve it positively and release a relevant press communiqué.

The withdrawal of the Soviet troops from the territory of the Romanian People's Republic would be a new palpable and convincing proof of the peace-loving policy of the Soviet Union, of the Romanian People's Republic and of the socialist camp as a whole, of our common tendency to obtain, not by words, but by facts, a relaxation of international tension. Such an act would deprive imperialist circles of one of their significant arguments in favor of their policy of military preparation and would contribute to uniting the forces that pronounce themselves for the safeguarding and consolidation of peace, for peaceful coexistence among states.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union asks you to be so kind and tell us your opinion in this matter.

With communist greetings,

First Secretary of the CC of the CPSU
(ss) N. Khrushchev