The CPSU Central Committee issues five directives to combat the "anti-Soviet" campaign concerning the Katyn massacre.
March 30, 1976
Note, Yu. Andropov, V. Kuznetsov, and K. Katushev to the CPSU Central Committee
distributed to CPSU CC Politburo
members for voting
Secret
[to the] CPSU CC
Recently the imperialist centers of ideological subversion, especially important Western radio stations, have quite often begun to return to the so-called “Katyn Affair” in the well-known Goebbels interpretation. Attempts are not ceasing to build “memorials to the victims of Katyn” with anti-Soviet inscriptions (a short memo is attached). This provocative anti-Soviet campaign might intensify in connection with the upcoming 35th anniversary of the crime of the German fascists in Katyn Forest (the autumn of 1976).
Understanding the danger and harm of such propaganda the Polish friends have turned [to us] through the Soviet Embassy in the PNR with a proposal to hold Soviet-Polish consultations in order to work out possible joint countermeasures.
The CPSU CC Department, the USSR MFA, and the Committee for State Security under the USSR Council of Ministers think it advisable to regard the desire of the Polish friends favorably, and to also undertake appropriate steps from the Soviet side.
A draft decree is attached. [handwritten: see P3/75]
We request [you] consider [this].
Yu. Andropov
V. Kuznetsov
K. Katushev
30 March 1976
Nº 861/GS
[handwritten: TsK-22796]
22-ke
31 March 1976
3-31
Yu. Andropov and other Soviet officials propose that, due to the "anti-Soviet campaign" concerning the Katyn massacre in the West, Poland and the Soviet Union should coordinate countermeasures.
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Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Dmitriĭ Antonovich Volkogonov papers, 1887-1995, mm97083838. Translated by Gary Goldberg.
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