SOVIET ENTERTAINS THE WEST AT KREMLIN PARTY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27502, 9 November 1954, Page 13

SOVIET ENTERTAINS THE WEST AT KREMLIN PARTY

MOSCOW, November 7.

Mrs Malenkov appeared in public with her Prime Minister husband for the first time tonight. The couple were attending the Kremlin banquet for foreign diplomats on the thirtyseventh anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. Mrs Malenkov, a brunette of about 45, wore an attractive royal blue evening dress.

The Russian leaders were in jovial mood and drank numerous toasts to peace and friendship with the British, French, and United States Ambassadors. After the dinner Mr Malenkov rose and spoke to his wife for a few minutes and then left the top table to circulate among the guests. For nearly two hours he walked about and talked informally to the foreign and Russian diners. He was in fine spirits and appeared in excellent health. The atmosphere throughout the reception was most convivial and the Soviet leaders appeared to enjoy close contact with the representatives of the Western Powers. The meal itself lasted two hours. The guests sat drinking wine, vodka, and Russian brandy tmd eating an elaborate selection of hors d’oeuvres, salmon, and other delicacies, and a veal dish followed by ice cream. Each course was interrupted by toasts—from Mr Molotov to the eight foreign envoys at the main table and from the Ambassadors to the Soviet Government.

Fifteen hundred other guests, glasses in their hands, edged themselves forward trying to catch the toasts exchanged at the top table. Guests also danced and talked in dther rooms in the Kremlin.

The First Toast Mr Molotov, who sat facing Lady Hayter, the wife of Britain’s Ambassador, Sir William Hayter, drank the first toast: “To your health, dear guests.” Smiling and cheerful, he told the

diplomats: “The Soviet State was born under the banner of peace and friendship. The purpose and significance of Soviet policy is to build quickly and consolidate peace and friendship among nations. “Allow me to wish the diplomats present, success in their work designed to consolidate peace and friendship among the nations,” he said “I express the certainty that Moscow is a very good place for such actions.” As Mr Molotov spoke, Mrs Malenkov sat smiling broadly. All the Russians rose when Mr Molotov proposed a toast to the British Ambassador, Sir William Hayter, who m tfeply proposed a toast to Moscow In a toast to the French Ambassador, Mr Molotov said: “I am pleased to speak about Paris. I am very pleased about Paris—although decisively against the Paris Agreements.” “Only Water in Glass” As the French Ambassador, Mr Joxe rose to drink in reply, Mr Molotov noticed he had only water in his glass. an <*. sa,< *‘ “You must not drink water.” Mr Malenkov pointed at a frescoed P lbll sal cene above his head and told Mr Moxe smilingly: “All the holy men are watching you.” Mr Joxe then agreed to his glass being half filled with vodka and said: I understand you are against the Paris Agreements. If I had a chance to explain them to you. you might agree with them ”

Mr Molotov then turned to the United States Ambassador, • Mr Charles E Behlen, and said: “I drink a toast that both the Soviet and American diplomats strive for better relations between our two countries.” Mr Bohlen said he shared the sentiment and drank

to Mr Molotov’s next visit to Washington with this thought in view.” The reception was given for the first tim,e m the Kremlin, it was previously held at a former nobleman’s house reserved for Foreign Ministry functions.

Guests, who included Soviet Government officials, writers and artists, as well as foreign diplomats, gathered in the great St. George’s Hall, built by the Czars and decorated with the names of 26,000 Czarist officers who won the St. George’s Cross of Honour. For an hour guests stood under a brilliant blaze of light from 3000 candles in the white marble and alabaster hall while singers and musicians from the Bolshoi Theatre entertained them.. The Soviet leaders arrived without advance notice halfway through the concert. As they entered through a gold-plated door Mr Malenkov and Mr Khruschev greeted the ambassadors nearest them. The only member of the Soviet Union’s "top nine” who was absent from the banquet was Marshal Voroshilov. All, members of the government wore dark suits except Marshal Bulganin, who was in uniform. Mr Malenkov wore a blue shirt and a spotted tie. After the toasts Were finished the Soviet leaders mingled with diplomats for informal discussions. Sir William Hayter and Mrs Bohlen talked with Mr Malenkov privately without an interpreter. For a while they laughed and joked, but later they became serious, and when it was all over Sir William said he and Mrs Bohlen told Mr Malenkov there should be more such meetings. Mr Malenkov had