Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-19
Letters to The Star
Czechoslovakian UNRRA Chief
Discusses MacG affin Story

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Czechoslovakian UNRRA Chief
Discusses MacG afiin Story
To the Editor Of The Star:
In your edition OF November 8 dis
patch OF your correspondent, William
MacGafin, from Prague, has been pub
lished under the title "UNRRA Aid to
Czechoslovakia Nears End on Schedule
Despite Early Errors"
As head Of the Czechoslovak ONCE for
Relief and Rehabilitation, and the
Czechoslovak governments delegate to
UNRRA in Washington, I would like
to comment on the above dispatch.
First of all, let me state as one
of the responsible oficials, who was
dealing with UNRRA matters from
the first day of the establishment OF
UNRRA,s Mission in Prague, that the
people of Czechoslovakia were from the
start very well aware Of the great par
ticipation of the United States in
UNRRA's work. Government spokesman
constantly repeated that the United
States contributed more than 10 per cent
to the funds of UNRRA.
In colloquial language when referring
to UNRRA almost without exception
every one is referring to the American
UNRRA" in spite of the international
character of this organization.
With reference to the so-called blum
ders," namely, Blunder No. /, ! can state
with the full knowledge Of facts, that
UNRRAs Mission in Prague carried out
the most excellent work, which Is APP
preciated not only by the Czechosloyak
government. but practically by every one
in Czechosloyakia. The mission works as
an excellent team regardless of the fact
that its chief is of Russian, his deputies
Of United States, Canadian and French
nationality. UNRRAs Mission in Prague
Is the best proof that international CO.
operation is not only possible but very
desirable.
The Czechoslovak government had and
has full and justified confidence in p. 7.
Alexejey, who heads the UNRRA Mission
in Prague. am sure that UNRRA's adj
ministration shares this view, otherwise
they would have removed Mr.. Alexejey.
Blunder No. Pin May, ls45, imme-
diately following the liberation of Czech
osloyakia Black Sea ports were the only
ones which could be used up until Mo-
yember, 1945, for. the unloading of sup
plies for land-locked Czechoslovakia. To
the port Of Constanza UNRRA delivered
to Czechoslovakia nearly 100000 tons of
goods. Those supplies alone saved thou
sands OF lives.
deplore very much when the very
question Of life is looked upon from the
angle Of colors of flags. Trains with
UNRRA supplies arrived in Czechoslo.
vakia without any decoration. person.
ally saw at least 100 or more of them at
different stations and not one Of them
had any flags of any description.
We. indeed, are very grateful to the
Soviet government that they permitted
already in May, 1S45. the use of the said
port facilities, and of means of inland
transportation at the time when no other
means of transportation were made
available.
The overwhelming importance of
UNRRA help to Czechoslovakia is Just
that those supplies were, sent to us when
the need was greatest. This was done
In the most commendable manner by all
parties concerned lAmerican sailors,
Russian port officials, Czechoslovak SOL
diers, etc.), regardless OF their badges.
Hlunder No. 3-The Czechoslovak gov
eminent exercises its price control
through Its price control office and prices
are fixed according to qualities regard
less OF the origin Of the goods. The con-
sumner Is paying the same price for flour
coming from Czechosloyak -four mills as
for -four sent by UNRRA. In general,
the price level is lower in Czechoslovakia
than in the United States.
In this connection 1t is necessary to
say that practically every person in
Czechoslovakia knows that UNRRA does
not charge the CzechosIovak government
for goods delivered and, therefore, il
there Is any resentment against the
present price policy, 1t can be directed
only against the government.
In conclusion and just for the sake
Of correct information: According to
UNRRA's latest statistics the total Of
delivered goods comes to 10 per cent Of
the total budget and not 80 per cent as
stated by your correspondent.
DIR. v. SCHLESINGER,
For the Czechoslovak ONCE for Relief
and Rehabilitation.