Evening star., 1952-08-29
MoIik Out, Zorin in

Now that Jacob A. Malik is to be replaced by
Valerian A. Zorin as chief Russian delegate to the
United Nations, the usual guessing game has
started as to whether or not the development
portendS a revision of any kind In the policy OF
the Kremlin. Such speculation, however, cannot
lead to sure answer. There is just one thing
that seems certain at the moment, and that Is
that the significance or lack Of significance OF
this change-as of all such Soviet changes-is
likely to be revealed only by the unfolding OF
events themselves.
AS far as guessing goes, it is interesting to
note that the Malik shift follows close upon the
Kremlins recent decision to name new ambassa-
dors to Peiping, London and Washington-a
shake-up that has at least the appearance OF
being highly meaningful because the three cities
involved are of key Importance in the continuing
East-West struggle. It is also interesting to note
that the changes have been accompanied by the
Chinese-R Russian conference in Moscow and the
announcement that the Communist Party OF the
Soviet Union will meet in October to stage It's
first congress in 13 years.
ALI this may or may not mean that the
Stain dictatorship is preparing to make i'm
portant new policy decisions bearing upon such
matters as the Korean war and the 1uture OF
Germany One guess seems about as good as
another on that score Since the men OF the
Kremlin are offering no explanations, the out
side world can do little more than wait and see.
Along with the ambassadorial changes, Mr..
Malik's recall from the United Nations for "rest
and reassgnment" may be merely routine
action, but because of Moscow's furtive opera
tions there is possibility that it may be linked
in some significant way with the current
Chinese-Russian meeting or the forthcoming
Communist Party congress. If so, Mr.. Zorin may
indicate just what the link Is when he supplants
Mr.. Malik at the fall session of the U. N. General
Assembly in New York.
Meanwhile, as Mr.. Malik prepares to depart,
it may be said of him that during his four years
with the u. N he has rendered distinguished
service to the Stain dictatorship. The service
has been distinguished, that is in the sense that
he has been well equipped with grim per-
sonality, a gift for brazening things out,
marked capacity for mendacious propaganda
speeches. and a wealth of similar talents with
which he has been able, in strict keeping with
orders from Moscow, to veto all progress toward
decent peace and happier world. Presumably,
having thus turned in frst-class party-line
performance he viii be suitably rewarded by the
Kremlin when he returns home.
AS for Mr. Zorin, he is deputy foreign
minister like Mr. Malik, and he is richly endowed
with gifts of the same sort. veteran in the
international Communist conspiracy (there Is
little doubt that he engineered the 1948 sub
version of Czechoslovakia). he probably will
prove to be at least the equal Of his predecessor
when he assumes his new duties in the United
Nations. Certainly, unless the Kremlin IS
planning to change its policy for the better
which seems most unlikely-he can be counted
upon to be not less vilifier and vetoer than
Mr.. Malik.