Khrushchev Calls For Talks On Disarmament

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29010, 26 September 1959, Page 13

Khrushchev Calls For Talks On Disarmament

(Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 24. Mr Khrushchev said tonight that he knew the American people were peace-loving, but that it remained to be seen if the United States Government also was peace-loving.

Mr Khrushchev was speaking at a dinner given in his honoui by the publisher of the "New York Journal of Commerce,” Mr Eric Ridder. Press coverage of the dinner was not allowed, but members of the stall of the financial newspaper briefed reporters afterwards. Mr Khrushchev said that the desire to negotiate on disarmament was one of the tests for peace. He was quoted as saying in effect that the United States can either disarm, showing that it wants peace, or fail to do so and show that it wants war.

He also made a new appeal for increased trade with the United States. “If you don’t want to lift trade discriminations, these thorns will remain in our hearts,” Mr Khrushchev was quoted as saying. “If you want trade lift the discrimination.” Mr Khrushchev said in a reference to the West’s strategic trade embargo. “If you want disarmament, negotiate. If you want disarmament it is necessary to negotiate otherwise we can continue as we are doing now. “You can disarm to show that you want peace. If not, it will show that you want war. “We hope for negotiations that will show progress. Otherwise we will continue in competition and we will remain on our guard against you. We will have reason to doubt your good faith.” U.S. Bases Criticised At one point, Mr Khrushchev launched a brief attack on the United States policy of maintaining military bases overseas It came when Mr Frank Pace, president of the General Dynamics Corporation, and a former Secretary of the Army, said he hoped the Soviet Premier had found the United States would support moral principles. Mr Khrushchev replied: “We Soviets, too, are peace-loving and willing to stand up for our principles. But if by moral principles you mean military bases surrounding us—that won’t get you anywhere. “We have no bases around your country. We have no need to create bases —but you must create them.”

Earlier, at a civic lunch in Pittsburgh, Mr Khrushchev blamed the United States for continuing the cold war. “The political cold is coming from you, and not from us,” he said. “We are not afraid of the cold, but we would like more favourable winds to blow in the world.” Mr Khrushchev was applauded when he said: “How happy would all the peoples of the world be if all the steel smelted in America and in the Soviet Union would be used solely for peaceful purposes.” He said: “We mean business when we intend to compete with your country.” United States industrial development had provoked the admiration and envy of many countries, but now the United States had a rival in the Soviet Union. “We have shown you your achievement cannot only be equalled but exceeded We are now overtaking you in some respects. "Our whistle is becoming ever louder and nearer.. It will be heard even better with every coming year,” Mr Khrushchev said.

“The day is not far off when we shall draw level with you, salute you and move on. But this time it will be we who go ahead. It will be you who will follow us. “Do not censure me when I tell you these things. Development will take precisely this course.” “Worthy Partner” Mr Khrushchev said there were American and Russian national traits which, if united on a specific programme, would, help ensure world peace. He said the Americans had such admirable qualities as enterprise and efficiency, while the Russians had revolutionary drive and courage. “Formerly you didn't have a worthy partner in competition for developments,” he said “Now you have one in the Soviet Union.” The Soviet leader said many people were wondering what his purpose was, and some even guessed that the purpose was to divide the world between

Khrushchev and Eisenhower. ' “These guesses are absurd,” he said. Mr Khrushchev referred to his proposal in the United Nations that all nations completely disarm within four years. He said something must be done to prevent the cold war from turning into a hot one. A hot war, he said, would not only burn “but also incinerate.” “No Serious Obstacles”

He added: “We, for our part, are prepared to do everything to ensure confidence. There are no serious obstacles between our two countries.” The Governor of Pennsylvania, Mr David L. Lawrence, one of the top Democrats in the east, told Mr Khrushchev that both parties were firmly behind President Eisenhower in his conduct of foreign policy. "In America, politics stop at the water’s edge,” the Governor said. Khrushchev’s Instructions Mr Khrushchev told Mr Lawrence: “Our Soviet Government has the support of the people. Before I left, the same thing was said to me: ‘Khrushchev, go to America, try for peace but stand firmly on your own feet.’ ” Mr Khrushchev said this advice could be interpreted in two ways—as standing firm and not budging an inch, or as standing firm in finding some solution to the problems of the world. "I want to interpret your words, Mr Governor, as a mandate to the President of your confidence and love so that he will have the heart in the search for a reasonable solution, leading to peace between our people and to world peace,” Mr Khrushchev said. If there were any other approach, he said, “Our conversations tomorrow are certainly not going to be very joyful ones.” Warm Reception The biggest crowds of the tour greeted Mr Khrushchev in Pittsburgh. A huge lunch-time throng gave him one of the friendliest receptions he has experienced in the United States. He stood in his car to acknowledge the reception from massed thousands as he drove from the hotel to lunch at the University of Pittsburgh. It was a quiet, somewhat orderly crowd, watched carefully by hundreds of police, some of whom were stationed on rooftops with high-powered rifles. When Mr Khrushchev got out of his open car, he stayed on the pavement for a few moments and waved across the street to the crowd.