Extracts from a letter from Liam Cosgrave to John A. Costello (Dublin)

Further to my report of this morning:

There is a view here that the Hungarians may have gone too far too fast, in other words, that the overthrow of Communist régimes in satellite countries may have to be done as a gradual process and that democratizing – to use a word so frequently applied to this matter – will proceed by stages. This is sometimes described as ‘Titoism’, as Yugoslavia is regarded as the first country to go in this direction. Some hold the view that Poland has gone a certain distance and you will have noticed a difference in the attitude adopted by Cardinal Wyszynski¹ who urged the people to remain calm and return to their posts, and that of Cardinal Mindszenty, who is in favour of striking as strongly as possible. These different attitudes may, of course, reflect different conditions in each country.

The Yugoslav Ambassador here asserts that there is a split in the Kremlin and that Krushchev and Bulganin are in favour of allowing the satellites a certain amount of freedom – not, of course, that they believe in it but because they feel that it will enable Communism to get a better grip in their European countries when it is pointed out to the people that there is a measure of freedom in these countries. This view is not shared by Molotov, Zhukov,² Mikoyan³ and the Army Chiefs who were responsible for moving into Hungary. You will have read in Tito’s speech delivered yesterday that he said there was a split in the Kremlin.

I was speaking to Cabot Lodge, who discounts anything from Yugoslavia and regards all this with grave suspicion. I think he is right in treating the matter with reserve and with suspicion.

I thought you would be interested in getting the two viewpoints.

[matter omitted]

Holmes,⁴ Assistant Secretary, Canadian Department of External Affairs, told Fred Boland that he liked the speech I made, and, in particular, the reference to Partition. He is a blunt fellow and says what he thinks. He confirmed the view expressed by the pressmen, that, as one of the new countries members, we have so far created a good impression. We will try to keep it up.