Word: khrushchevism
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...progressed through France's heavily leftist south, local Communists, augmented by busloads of comrades from afar, took over key positions along his route and at prearranged signals waved red flags and chanted admiring slogans. In Marseille, where the shouts were loudest, Khrushchev Son-in-Law (and Izvestia Editor) Alexei Adzhubei admiringly remarked to Soviet Propaganda Boss Leonid Ilyichev: "Comrade, you always handle the Agitprop well!" Spiking the Canon. Clicking away insatiably, Soviet cameramen captured scenes of enthusiasm designed to convince movie audiences behind the Iron Curtain that all France had embraced Nikita...
Truth was that, apart from the organized knots of Reds, the crowds that turned out to see Khrushchev were mostly just curious-ancl often silent. And throughout the tour, Nikita was confronted by the weighty displeasure of France's Catholic hierarchy. Priests were forbidden to receive him in their churches. In Reims the Host was removed from the altar of the cathedral before Khrushchev was shown through-and a purification service was held after he had left. The church even succeeded in spiking one of the anticipated triumphs of the Agitprop men-Nikita's scheduled meeting with Canon...
...French prisoners escape the Germans. He spends little time in the mayor's office, can more often be found directing Dijon's traffic, perched at the top of a fireman's ladder, or passing the time of day in a workers' bistro. Convinced that Khrushchev's professed desire to end the cold war must be taken at face value, the canon weeks ago announced that if he got the chance, he would welcome Khrushchev to Dijon with a Russian-style embrace...
Fortnight ago, after his bishop sternly forbade him to receive Nikita, Canon Kir reluctantly agreed to obey. But neither church nor state had any real confidence that the canon could resist if Nikita came to call. Accordingly, on the morning of the day Khrushchev was due to arrive in Dijon, two police cars pulled up in front of Canon Kir's house and hustled the furiously gesticulating priest off for a long drive in the country...
...German Gambit. Though he passed off Kir's "kidnaping" with aplomb ("Canon Kir is absent physically, but spiritually he is with us"), Khrushchev was clearly conscious of the depth of Catholic hostility to him. Carefully, he told reporters: "I agree with Christ in most of his teachings. Besides, they fit Communism. There is only one point where I do not agree: when Christ says one has to turn the other cheek. For me, if a man strikes me on the cheek, I knock his head off." Nikita's preference for knocking heads became clear after a visit...