New York “A Horrible Place,” Says Mr K

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29333, 12 October 1960, Page 15

New York “A Horrible Place,” Says Mr K

(Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 11. Mr Khrushchev said last night that he might return to New York, which he called a “horrible place.” He spoke at a Cuban delegation reception.

The Russian leader will fly to Moscow on Thursday, winding up a three-week stay in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Reuters reported that when asked if he planned to come back to New York. Mr Khrushchev said, apparently in jest, that ne might return in January, if the General Assembly was still in session then. He added that he did not think it would be. He was also asked about his plans for visiting Cuba. He said he would go, but the date had still not been set Mr Khrushchev was critical of New York when a guest asked him for his impressions of the city. He said it was a “horrible place.” He could not imagine children living in New York, which was “a monument ’ of stone, and full of concrete.” The lack of vegetation was bad and there was not enough air. “I know now what Gorky meant when he wrote ‘The City

Of The Yellow Devil.’ ” he said. (Maxim Gorky wrote the book after visiting New York.) Mr Khrushchev, who was repeatedly questioned as he moved among the guests, spoke about his television appearance, saying that he was satisfied that he had succeeded fa getting through to the audience his message of “peace and friendship." He said that he was not much disturbed by the fact that the commercials for Radio Free Europe were interspersed through the programme. A note informing him of this fact had been passed to him during the show and he had mentioned It to David Susskind. the moderator of the programme. Mr Khrushchev said he had asked Susskind: "What are you trying to do? You are trying to prick a mighty elephant, the Soviet Union, with a pin.” Asked for his opinion of Susskind. Mr Khrushchev replied: "You know. I am getting to be a diplomat ... I think I had better not talk about it.”