Secret Telegram No. 3239/III - From Moscow to Warsaw

Secret Telegram No. 3239/III

From Moscow to Warsaw, September 24, 1976

To Szyszko:

Based on Kapitsa's information for the representatives of socialist countries' embassies, including Vietnam and North Korea…

After Mao's death, there is no single exceptional personality on the Chinese scene. Those individuals who were significant either died of natural causes or were removed due to internal party strife in the latest period. This is why one of the most significant problems which awaits China is the personnel problem. In addition, the efforts of the new Chinese leadership will be focused on bringing back internal order in the country as well as battling the economic difficulties.

According to Kapitsa, the focus on these three main problems will mean that the Chinese will not be active on the international arena in the near future.

The Soviet Union, Kapitsa stressed, is still prepared and wishes to normalize relations with China. Not accepting the telegram with condolences from the CC CPSU testifies to China's actions. The normalization of Sino-Soviet relations, however, would strengthen the forces of socialism in the world and would allow China to regain Taiwan. He does not exclude the possibility that some signs of change could be visible during the national celebration in China on October 1.

/-/ Nowak