766.00/7–953: Telegram
No. 38
The Minister in Rumania (Shantz) to the
Department of State
3. Living standards, especially consumer foods, steadily lowered during past year. (Deptel 1, July 6, 19531) This increased chronic discontent with regime as proved by remarks we heard made by persons in long queues and conversations with many Rumanians in city and some in country-side.
We have no first hand evidence that discontent has taken overt and bolder form recently. Unsatisfactory food situation publicly admitted by regime which has taken steps to improve it among both workers and peasants. City food supplies increased beginning this month, agriculture rules relaxed and peasants authorized retain larger amounts for own use. Good crops in prospect.
Regime also took cognizance of discontent by increased call-up army reserves which placed potential malcontents under government control; and perhaps through amnesty April 1 although this undoubtedly prepared before death Stalin. No mention of amnesty since in press and effect believed slight.
Our views coincide with those of Department as summarized in reftel paragraph 2 except that we would modify second sentence to indicate rate of Sovietization has been temporarily slowed due to discontent here and to less extent due reports unrest other satellites. See no evidence Soviet power structure in Rumania is disintegrating in any way.
- Printed as telegram 4 to Praha, Document 34.↩