749.00/12–751: Telegram
The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Briggs) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
445. At Central Comite Mtg Dec 6 attended by all top flight officials Czech CP, Gottwald accused Slansky of having played leading role in plot hostile to Party and State and added there was irrefutable evidence Western “espionage agents” had made preparations for his escape to West. Slansky and Jarmila Taussigova (perhaps his private sec’y) thereupon expelled from Party (see Emb desp 178 December 62).
No further ref made to “plot” referred above, but President may have meant Sling’s plan to capture Party control. While Slansky can properly be blamed for lack vigilance in permitting Sling plot reach advanced state, Emb has no evidence linking Slansky therewith. To contrary, we have been inclined believe Slansky wld have been first victim had Sling been successful. Embassy also doubts Slansky had Titoist aspirations, or in any other way was disloyal to Kremlin.
In our view Gottwald has taken opportunity re-establish his auth and was able receive Kremlin support by pointing up Slansky’s record and latter’s share responsibility for econ failures. We find some logic in speculation that Gottwald has placed his own position in serious danger by centering auth and responsibility his own hands. As Sov exploitation of Czecho increases and internal dissatisfaction spreads pressure for more independent course action may increase. Kremlin may then prefer have Czech CP and Govt led by someone with less auth and ability. In that case, Gottwald wld be obvious scapegoat for failures which almost certain given present rate Sov exploitation.