Soviet Leaders Attend Parties Given By West

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27472, 5 October 1954, Page 11

Soviet Leaders Attend Parties Given By West

(From a Reuter Correspondent)

MOSCOW. Whenever Soviet Government leaders now meet Western diplomats, the signal goes out for a round of friendly toasts to “peace and friendship.” The friendlier approach in day-to-day dealings noted by Western embassies since the accession of the Malenkov Government has recently 7 blossomed into cordiality in social life as well. The change began a year ago when the Russians relaxed travel restrictions, enabling foreign diplomats to travel over a wide area of the Soviet Union. Senior Soviet officials, including leading members of the government, also began to attend social functions at foreign embassies. Russia’s new rulers appeared anxious to try to break the “curtain of coolness” which shrouded relations between the Soviet Govern* ment and foreign envoys during the “cold war” years. The climax came when Mr Georgi Malenkov, the Prime Minister, the Communist Party Secretary, Mr Nikita Khrushchav, the Foreign Minister, Mr Vyacheslav Molotov, and the Trade Minister, Mr Anastas Mikoyan, went together to dine at the British Embassy. The occasion was a visit to Moscow by a British Labour Party delegation led by Mr Attlee. It was the first time that Mr Malenkov and Mr Khruschev had been to a Western embassy. They stayed for four hours—and appeared to enjoy themselves. Two months earlier, Mr Mikoyan and a distinguished group of Russians come to the British Embassy to drink champagne in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. A party of Soviet trade union leaders came to an Embassy cocktail party when the British Ambassador, Sir William Hayter, entertained visiting British trade unionists. Another British cocktail party saw Soviet mountaineers there in force to talk with Sir John Hunt, leader of the ex-

pedition which last year conquered Mount Everest. The Russians gave him a medal. Ball Given By French Senior Soviet officials danced at the French Embassy when a late-night ball was given for a visiting troupe from the Parijj Comedie Francaise. The Diplomatic Corps in Moscow considers that Mr Malenkov’s government wants to show that it is capable of behaving just as courteously and with just as much propriety as any other government. But few diplomats in Moscow believe that the new cordiality indicates any change in basic Soviet foreign policy. The Russians are at present giving great attention to the Asian countries, and their expressions of cordiality towards the Indian and Indonesian Embassies in Moscow are particularly marked. Of the Western Powers, Britain and France receive the major attention in the “cordiality” campaign. Towards the Americans, there is still a certain reserve. When the United States Ambassador, MF Charles Bohlen, gave a reception for Independence Day on July 4, only a few Foreign Ministry officials arrived. When the French celebrated Bastille Day, Mr Mikoyan led a strong Russian contigent. The latest sign of “normality” in Soviet dealings with the Diplomatic Corps was the abolition of the uniforms in which Soviet Foreign Ministry officials always appeared at Embassy functions. Whenever a party was given, the Russians could be picked out by their military-like grey uniforms, prominently marked with rank insignia. Uniforms inevitably detracted from informality. Now, when the Russians drink vodka and cognac toasts with Western diplomats, they ■are arrayed in inconspicuous but smart dark suits.