T HE BBC'S RUSSIAN SERVICE 8 ' 4, —Mr. Peter Wiles's comprehensive survey of
the material broadcast by the Russian service of the 44C reveals a state of affairs which should not be 4110Wed to continue. It is becoming clearer every , va), that neither the West nor the Communist world can defeat each other in a decisive military or politi- cal showdown and .the resulting deadlock makes the This battle correspondingly more important. his makes it even more necessary for-the BBC to reconsider the policy of its Russian service. May venture to suggest certain steps which could remedy tome of the deficiencies revealed in Mr. Wiles's sur- 4, although I wish to make it clear that these 1r°Posals are not put forward as a comprehensive remedy? The Russian service broadcasts daily for about two hours and fifteen minutes. I suggest that out nl this time fifteen minutes should be set aside !very day fr a broadcast prepared by an independent "Inside conotributor. Such a contributor should be reliable student of affairs and care should be taken that he should not be a political or academic fellow- Every Monday, for instance, there could be an economic talk presenting, comparing and criticising the achievements of Western and Communist e4on oma ipo laitnicda l nddiucsutrsiseso. n Oinn Twuhecshd aosffi, coanle Soviet pronouncements could be scrutinised critically. Those 49 cannot defy their oppressors feel a great urge L,
'''' hear the voices of those who can do it. Many Russians who dare not dispute all the abuse and aberrations issued in the names of Lenin and Khrush- chev would rejoice and regain courage if they hear others doing it freely. Every Wednesday one could discuss the problems of freedom in art and other literary matters of special interest to Russian in- tellectuals—particularly criticism of the Communist Party's pronouncements on cultural questions. On Thursdays there could be a talk addressed to the younger generation dealing with various problems of specific interest to youth, with special emphasis on the more frivolous aspects of Western ideas on leisure. It is extremely important to gain a wider audience among the younger generation who dislike the puritanism of the Soviet CP. Friday could be dedicated to a scientific talk in which various achieve- ments and deficiencies of Soviet and Western science could be appraised critically. On Saturday there could be another political talk on the same lines as the one suggested for Tuesday, whilst on Sunday there could be a religious talk (not the Greek Or- thodox talks which are already being broadcast, but talks dealing with Soviet policy towards religion) and also talks of special interest to various religious minorities of the Soviet Union.—Yours faithfully, LIONEL BLOCH 105 Hamilton Terrace, St. John's Wood, NW 8
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