Marianne Geiger,
Theodore Mcghee,
George Modin,
Yuri Ivanovich Sum,
Antonin Warren,
James Wyatt,
Mark
INTERVIEW WITH YURI IVANOVICH MODIN - 31/1/96
Continue
Q:
And again, without mentioning the names of the people who passed this on, what was the phrase that Masaryk used when he returned to Prague after the meetings with Stalin?
A:
Well they came to the Ruzyne airport by plane, and when he came out from the plane he said, I was not there, but my friends were there, and he said quite clearly; I was going to Moscow as a Minister of a free State, and I am returning as Stalin's slave. So, again, very very sad.
Q:
Right, thank you very much indeed, shall we cut there. Thank you.
A:
...to the United States for the, session of the, you went, so he wasn't received by the President, by, neither by the Minister of Foreign .... ........?, at the time, they said; well you have rejected the Marshal Plan and we do not like to speak with you. And even the world highest officials didn't receive him, and the lower officials were quite clearly saying; well you have rejected the plan, that was in connection with the plan, and it was absolutely unfair from them. Because they should have known what was going on, they should have known that the Soviets were doing such kind, and they were informed. Absolutely informed to over there. So it was unfair. So perhaps if you could put me this question, if you feel it interesting.
Q:
No, no I think we had that sense...
A:
...It is from our point of view, because we were, we were a victim at the time.... yeah.
Q:
...Yes. I think....
A:
..not an agent, not doing what we would like to do.
Q:
Yes. I think we have that sense from you, Dr. Sum, I think that has come across well. But the camera is running now, so I'll just ask you once again, if you wouldn't mind, perhaps using instead of he said, the phrase Masaryk said, just so that it's clear to the audience, could I just ask you to say again what were those two phrases that Masaryk used in Moscow after the meeting with Stalin, and then at the airport when he returned to to Prague.
A:
So when he was leaving...
Q:
Sorry, if you can say when Masaryk was....
A:
...Sorry, sorry, OK.
When Masaryk was leaving with other members of our delegation, Kremlin, after the meeting of, of with Stalin, he said to Heidrich, the Secretary General of the Ministry, this is the end of Czechoslovak democracy. And when he came by plane to Prague, and went out from the plane, there were members of our Ministry awaiting him, and welcoming him, so he said; I went to Moscow as Minister of a free State, and I am returning as Stalin's slave. So that were his word.
END OF INTERVIEW
