If the Secretariat of the Chamber is interested in finding out the truth and stopping the threatening publication of "Cancer Ward" in Russian abroad, I think it can quickly get answers to these questions.

This episode makes you think about the strange and dark ways in which manuscripts of Soviet writers can reach the West. It is an extreme reminder to us that literature must not be brought to such a position that literary works become a profitable commodity for any businessman who has a travel visa. The works of our authors should be allowed to be published in their homeland, and not given to foreign publishing houses.

Solzhenitsyn 18.4.68

[9]

TO THE EDITORIAL OFFICE OF "MOND", "UNITA", "LITGAZETA"

From the report of the newspaper "Le Monde" of April 13, I learned that in the West in various places fragments and parts of my novel "Cancer Ward" are being printed, and a dispute has already begun between the publishers Mondadori (Italy) and Bodley Head (England) about the right of "copyright" to this story.

I declare that none of the foreign publishers received from me the manuscript of this story or a power of attorney to print it. Therefore, I do not recognize anyone's past or future (without my permission) publication as legal, I do not recognize anyone's publishing rights; any distortion of the text (inevitable in the uncontrolled reproduction and distribution of the manuscript) is detrimental to me; I strongly condemn and forbid any unauthorized screen adaptation and staging.

I already have experience of how in all translations "Ivan Denisovich" was spoiled because of haste. Apparently, the same awaits the "Cancer Ward". But in addition to money, there is literature.

Solzhenitsyn

25.4.68

[10]

TO THE EDITORIAL OFFICE OF "LITERATURNAYA GAZETA" Copy: "Novy Mir" magazine

I know that your newspaper will not print a single line of mine without giving it a distorted or vicious meaning. But I have no other way to answer my numerous congratulators except through you:

"I am thrilled to thank the readers and writers who sent congratulations and wishes on my 50th birthday. I promise them never to betray the truth. My only dream is to be worthy of the hopes of reading Russia.