KHRUSHCHEV’S BOAST

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28553, 5 April 1958, Page 13

KHRUSHCHEV’S BOAST

“Soviet Would Win Any War” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) BUDAPEST, April 3. The Soviet leader, Mr Khrushchev, told prominent Hungarian Communist Party and Government officials in Budapest tonight that the Soviet Union would win any war against the capitalistic world, according to the British United Press. . “However, the Soviet Union is not intending to achieve the victory of socialism at the price of the perishing of tens of millions of people,” said Mr Khrushchev. He advocated “peaceful rivalry between East and West aiming at the raising of living standards everywhere in the world.” • Reuter reported that Mr Khrushchev also accused the United States Government of trying to throw back to its starting point the whole cause of a summit conference.

Mr Khrushchev was addressing prominent Hungarian Communist Party and Government officials, diplomats from the Soviet Bloc and neutral countries and other specially invited guests who were attending a ceremony marking Hungary’s liberation by the Soviet Army 13 years ago. The United States was ” again bringing to the fore the German question and the question of the situation in Eastern European countries—questions which cannot be discussed at such a summit conference,” Mr Khrushchev said. The German problem could only be solved by the Germans themselves; without the interference of other States, he claimed. ‘‘A solution that is not approved by the whole German people—that is the manner that the United States and a few other Western States are proposing-*-does not lead to the strengthening of European peace. "On the contrary it leads to a sharpening of the situation or even to war. "As regards the so-called question of the situation of the East European .countries the discussion on it would flagrantly violate the elementary rules of international relations,” Mr Khrushchev went on. "None of the member States of the United Nations can agree to authorise anyone to discuss its political system.” .Mr Khrushchev then asked, "What right do the politicians of the United States have to enforce the way of life of their country on other countries? "The East European people decided long ago what road to follow, and nobody has the right to interfere in their domestic affairs. The Soviet Government has declared many* times and now declares again that it opposes in the firmest manner the discussion of such questions.” "Increasing Cold War” Mr Khrushchev said the United States proposals were put forward in the interest 7of increasing the cold war . . and because they have reasons for wrecking the conference at a high l£vel.” The raising of such questions as Germany and the position of East European States was equal to "losing one’s common sense” “The same could be said of us if for instance we should demand at the summit meeting the discussion of how to end the capitalist system in those countries where such a system exists," Mr Khrushchev declared. He said that "sober politicians” of the West were responsible to world opinion favouring the idea of a summit conference. “But noteworthy also are such events as the series of conferences conducted by Western military alliances to intensify the arms race and for the unification of “all aggressive blocs,” the Soviet leader said. "We are living on the same planet as the capitalist countries,” said the' Russian leader. "We oppose war not because of weakness, but because war would do immeasurable harm to mankind.” Storekeeper Stabbed (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 4. A White Russian, aged 75, was found stabbed to death in his shop at Fairfield, near Liverpool, early today. The man, Isaac Fitzer, single, who lived in Ware street, Fairfield, was the proprie tor of a surplus and disposals store.