Eh. Shevardnadze et al to the CPSU CC, 'Measures to Build the Site of the Burial of Polish officers in Katyn (Smolensk Oblast’) and the Expansion of the Access to it of the Citizens of the PNR and of Other Countries'

ref Point VIII of Minutes Nº 119

[to the] CPSU CC

Measures to build the site of the burial of Polish officers in Katyn (Smolensk Oblast’) and the expansion of the access to it of the citizens of the PNR and of other countries

In accordance with the CPSU CC decree of 11 February 1988 (P103/XI) we present views concerning the construction of the place of burial of the Polish officers in Katyn (Smolensk Oblast’) and the opening of wide access to it by citizens of the PNR and of other countries.

A group of officials of the CPSU CC staff and USSR MFA went to Katyn between 16 and 18 March 1988 for familiarization with the burial site. [We] would consider it possible to agree with the top-priority measures proposed by the Smolensk Oblast’ CPSU Committee to build the place of burial of the Polish officers and the expand the access to it of the citizens of the PNR and of other countries.

At the same time, considering the repeatedly expressed wishes of W. Jaruzelski and other members of the Polish leadership (J. Baryla, M. Orzechowski, M. Rakowski, and others) about the creation of a memorial complex at the burial site of the Polish officers in Katyn, [we] would  consider it advisable to charge the USSR Ministry of Culture with submitting proposals about this question and holding consultations with the Polish Side in 1988 about its possible participation in the construction of a memorial.

It also seems justified to erect a memorial to the dead Polish officers in a common space with a monument to the Soviet POWs who took part in the exhumation work and who were then murdered by the Nazis and buried on these same grounds (about 500 men).

The question of a simplifying the procedure for relatives of the dead Polish officers to visit the memorial in Katyn requires additional study [prorabotka].

[handwritten at the bottom of the first page:

“P 606

[[three illegible characters – 11913”]

Eh. Shevardnadze

V. Chebrikov

A. Yakovlev

V. Medvedev

26 April 1988

  Nº 434/ss

31-ag

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