Cold War Thaw Expected In U.S.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29989, 26 November 1962, Page 13

Cold War Thaw Expected In U.S.

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) WASHINGTON, November 24. United States officials believe that new Soviet peace moves will come in the wake of the Cuban and Indian crises.

They are reluctant, however. to predict whether the East-West atmosphere will become warm enough to thaw the cold war or will merely put it on the shelf for a period of time, according to Reuter’s Washington correspondent. “All they are prepared to say is that the Soviet Premier. Mr Khrushchev, from his private exchanges with President Kennedy, seems to be a changed man,” the correspondent said.

“The Russian leader is said to be well aware that Cuba could have brought on a nuclear war and to be anxious now to avoid another confrontation that might take the world to the brink again. “In addition, he is thought to be preoccupied with so many problems that Soviet moves against Berlin can be ruled out at least for the time being.

“The Soviet leader gives United States policy experts the impression that he has his hands full with agricultural and other domestic problems, the ferment in the Communist Bloc, his ideological dispute with Peking, and his presumed opposition to China’s invasion of India’s northern frontier areas.” The signs pointed to a move by Mr Khrushchev to encourage a relaxation of tension. The effects of the Cuban and Indian border crisis on Soviet policy, Chinese-Soviet relations and the West’s relation with the Communist world would be explored by President Kennedy and the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) at a meeting expected to take place by the end af the year. The White House confirmed yesterday that prospects for the conference were "highly probable.’’ The acting press secretary. Mr Andrew T. Hatcher, declined to speculate on a date other than to say “some time soon.” Bermuda is almost certain to be the venue for the talks. Authoritative sources said the present thinking was that the talks should be held immediately after Christmas. By that time, they said, more should be known of the effets of the Cuban and Indian border crises on Soviet policy, Chinese-Soviet relations and the West's relations with the Communist world.

The President was reported to be leaning towards a meeting In Bermuda. Britain’s Atlantic colony, where he and Mr Macmillan conferred last December. It is a retreat he is said to like very much.

Kadar Keeps Leadership <N.Z.PA.-Reuter—CopyrtgU) BUDAPEST, Nov. 24. The Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr Janos Kadar, was today re-elected First Secretary of the Communist Party. The congress elected a 13member Politburo and changes in the Government were also revealed. In his three-hour elosing speech today. Mr Kadar said the congress had unanimously approved the party's ideology, which had been “cleaned” of revisionism nad dogmatism. Further successes, however, depended in the radical rooting out of the remnants of the personality cult, be said. He paid tribute to what he terms “Khrushchev’s peace policy." Mr Kadar told the congress that only China had regretted the criticisms levelled by congress members against the Albanian leaders.