RUSSIANS GO TO SOFIA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27676, 4 June 1955, Page 7

RUSSIANS GO TO SOFIA

Party At End Of Talks (Rec. 10.30 p.m.)' BELGRADE, June 3. Russia’s leaders will leave Belgrade by air today—for Sofia, Bulgaria, on their way back to Moscow after weeklong talks in Jugoslavia. Western observers in Belgrade are generally interpreting the talks as a triumph for the policies of Marshal Tito. Marshal Nikolai Bulganin, the Soviet Prime Minister, Mr Nikita Khrushchev, the Communist Party First Secretary, and the other Russian delegates are going to Bulgaria on a short unofficial visit. Marshal Tito and Mrs Tito spent until the early hours of this morning at a party given in their honour by the Soviet Ambassador, Mr Vassily Valjkov, at which the whole Soviet delegation was also present. Seventeen artists flown from the Soviet Union sang, played and danced in a large hall flanked with massive pillars of Jugoslav marble inside the building of the Serbian Government The Soviet Embassy was too small to hold the 700 guests. The Russian leaders in the front row of the audience at the concert sat almost throughout with expressionless faces. But Mr Khrushchev broke into a smile at the final number—Ukrainian folk dancing. The Jugoslavs were all dressed in dinner jackets but the Russian leaders wore creased dark lounge suits—except for the Ambassador, Mr Valjkov, who was in full dress Russian diplomatic uniform.

After the party the Soviet leaders left in a jovial mood, particularly Mr Khrushchev, who exuberantly invited a group of foreign newspapermen to Russia and promised them visas at once. Invitation to Journalists Marshal Tito pointed out a group of foreign journalists to Mr Khrushchev. Mr Khrushchev said in Russian “Journalists are dangerous people. But they do not know us Russians.” An • American correspondent answered: "How can we? We cannot get into Russia.” Mr Khrushchev turned to the Soviet deputy Prime Minister, Mr Anastas Mikoyan, who said: "Maybe it is because they cannot get visas.” Mr Khrushchev said: “Come to Russia, all of you. Come tomorrow. I invite any journalist who wants to come.”

A German journalist said: "I am from Western Germany. Can I come too?”

Mr Khrushchev roared: “Yes, you too. I am not afraid of the devil himself.”

At this stage Marshal Tito, who had marched on ahead, turned back and said: "Come on Mr Khrushchev. You’re letting them keep you prisoner.” Marshal Tito and Mr Mikoyan took Mr Khrushchev by the arm and urged him down the stairs where ushers came forward to help him for the last few yards to his motor-car.