Russia May Stop Jamming B.B.C.

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29068, 3 December 1959, Page 19

Russia May Stop Jamming B.B.C.

<N.Z. Press Association—Copyngnt)

LONDON, December 1. Russia proposes to consider ending its jamming of British broadcasts to the Soviet Union under a new cultural pact signed in London today. It was authoritatively stated that this lay behind a paragraph in the agreement saying: “Both parties agree to undertake studies in the immediate future with a view to normalising relations in the field of broadcasting.” The 8.8. C. in return will consider giving up the extra frequencies it now uses in an attempt to by-pass Russian jamming—but, it is understood, it will not modify the contents of its broadcasts. 8.8. C. broadcasts to Russia have been jammed since the cold war began. Under the new pact the Old Vic Theatre—in which star actors such as Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud have frequently appeared—will visit Russia in February and March, 1961.

~ SI E, Thoma s Beecham will take the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to the Soviet Union for one month in 1960. An exhibition of British art will be held in Moscow and Leningrad from May to July, 1960. In turn the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra will appear at next year’s Edinburgh Festival ba llet of the Leningrad Kirov Theatre will visit Britain. The agreement also provides for exchanges of scientists, industrial and agricultural experts, professors and students, and medical specialists.

It was signed by the chairman of the Soviet Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (Mr Georgi Zhukov) and by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office (Mr Robert Allan). The agreement took a week to negotiate.