Omissions In Kennedy’s Speech Criticised

Press, Volume C, Issue 29630, 28 September 1961, Page 9

Omissions In Kennedy’s Speech Criticised

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MOSCOW, September 27. ' Russia yesterday criticised President Kennedy's United Nations speech for what, it said, it did not contain.

A 1000 word dispatch on the speech from the official Soviet news agency Tass was published in evening newspapers, said the Associated Press. > After Quoting at length from Mr Kennedy’s disarmament views, and listing his six points, Tass said: ‘Il is easily seen from all the measures elaborated in his programme, that this programme does not foresee the abolition of arms and armed forces, does not foresee the prohibition of nuclear and other weapons of mass annihilation, nor the liquidation of bases on other countries’ territories.

Tass ridiculed the President’s continents on freedom for colonial countries. “Kennedy said not a word on the position of the United States on such vital problems as the struggle of the Algerian people for their independence, the national liberation struggle of the Angolan people, nor the situation in South-west Africa.” ’

Berlin Issue On Berlin, Tass quoted the President’s remarks to the effect that the United States was not tied to any particular formula. It left the President’s words to speak for themselves without adding any Soviet disagreement. 1 Some observers thought this indicated that Russia was open to negotiations on Berlin.

Tass also declared that "it is seen from the President’s speech that the American programme of disarmament attaches great# importance to the suspension of the production of fissionable material and to the control of launching devices into the cosmos. "These measures alone will never be able to ensure universal and complete disarmament,” Tass said. Radio Moscow, in a Home Service broadcast, declared: “The United States programme makes no .provision either for the abolition of

arms and armed forces, tor the banning of nuclear and other fonns of weapons of mass extermination, or for the liquidation of military bases on other people's territory.” In West Berlin, the Mayor (Mr Willy Brandt) said the speech was an "important and constructive document,” reported Reuter. “West Berliners are grateful for the firmness which President Kennedy expressed in connexion with the freedom of the city and the freedom of access to Berlin,” he said. In London, the British Government said it gave full and enthusiastic support” to the disarmament proposals outlined by President Kennedy and then submitted in detail by the Uhi ted States to the United Nations. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The ’ United States Government has fully

informed and consulted their allies during the stages of preparation” of the disarmament plan. It has our full and enthusiastic support” In diplomatic circles interest was aroused by President Kennedy’s forthright statement that he believed “a peaceful agreement is possible which protects the freedom of West Berlin and allied presence and access.” French Approval In Paris, usually wellinformed sources said that President Kennedy’s proposal for resuming disarmament talks with the Soviet Union met with French approval. President de Gaulle, during a provincial speaking tour in the last four days, has constantly insisted on the need for disarmament. On details of the President’s disarmament proposals, the French may have some reserves about the suspension of nuclear tests. The Government has so far expressed no official opinion, but France would want to

r know’ first whether she was 1 considered a nuclear or a f non-nuclear Power. ~ , r The French Government F fully supports President Ken- - nedy’s proposal for. keeping the United Nations Secretaryr General’s position as a onee man job and is equally t opposed to the Soviet idea • of a "troika.” • Diphnatic officials were In- * terested In his reference to

1 the recognising the historic 1 and legitimate interests of - others in assuring European - security. e They thought this was a new point which did not ’ seem to have been fully dis--1 cussed at the numerous > meetings in Washington be--8 tween the United States, • Britain and France. 1 The New Zealand Ambas8 sador In Washington (Mr G. R. Laking) praised President - Kennedy’s address as “an 1 extremely effective speech." ? 2