Official Caution On Power’s Release

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29746, 13 February 1962, Page 15

Official Caution On Power’s Release

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 11. U.S. Government officials were wary today of making predictions about the effect the release of Francis Gary Powers in exchange for the Soviet spy, Colonel Rudolf Abel, might have on “cold war” tension.

According to Reuter, Administration officials in Washington W’ere hopeful that the effect would be a major easing of tension. But United Press International say the exchange might not have any major effect on the “cold war” temperature. The Soviet action may or may not have been designed to improve relations, as stated by Moscow, but American officials were inclined to believe the Kremlin was inspired principally by propaganda moves. Officials in Washington were emphatic in rejecting any suggestion that the deal in which Powers and a United States student were exchanged for convicted Soviet spy. Rudolf Abel, was part of some broad plan to lower tensions, U.P.I. said. They contended the dramatic exchange was an isolated matter concluding months of negotiations during which there emerged a deal in which both sides saw some advantage. White House and State Department authorities acknowledged that the re-

lease of Powers, coming at a time when both Moscow and Washington were talking about easing tensions, might well appear to be part of the general “thaw.” But they said this was probably not true.

The former President, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose Administration came under fire when the U-2 incident occurred, declined to comment today on the matter. Another former President. Mr Harry S. Truman, said: “I guess it is a fair trade.”