Soviet Military Exercises

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 15

Soviet Military Exercises

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

MOSCOW, September 2.

Soviet military exercises with the use of various types of modern weapons will be held by the Soviet Northern Fleet jointly with rocket troops and the Air Force in the Barents and Kara Seas in September and October, the Soviet news agency Tass reported last night.

The announcement was made in a communique of the USSR. Ministry of Defence published in the newspaper “Krasnana Zvezda.” Czechoslovakia has followed Russia's lead and has stopped military demobilisation and has recalled reservists, Czech visitors to Vienna said. Austrian businessmen who have returned from recent visits to Czechoslovakia confirmed the reports, said the British United Press. It is also learned that in future Czech soldiers will not be allowed to leave the Army after they have finished their normal periods of duty. The Czech visitors said that as soon as news of the new military moves was

heard many people went on a spending spree, fearing a shortage of food and consumer goods as a result of worsening relations with the West. The Czech Government has not made an official announcement confirming the reported military steps. Czechoslovakia is believed to have a regular Army of about 250.000, equipped chiefly with Russian weapons.