Chinese Plea For Solidarity

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30593, 9 November 1964, Page 13

Chinese Plea For Solidarity

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) MOSCOW, November 8. China’s leaders said yesterday that no force on earth could prevent the Soviet Union gaining new victories “in the defence of the motherland, the struggle against the aggression of imperialism, and for the preservation of peace.”

In a vigorous appeal for unity contained in greetings to the Kremlin marking today’s anniversary of the Russian revolution, the Chinese message published in “Pravda”—said: “May imperialism, headed by the U.S.A., tremble before our monolithic solidarity.” Throughout the bitter SinoSoviet ideological dispute. China has persistently stressed that imperialism is headed by the United States, a formulation generally avoided by Russian leaders under their policy of peaceful co-exist-ence.

Observers thought there were now signs of a greater readiness to listen to the Chinese viewpoint, but Russian leaders have made no concession to them on matters of principle and have continually stressed, since Mr Khrushchev’s replacement three weeks ago, a number of points in Russian policy which China has sharply criticised in the past.

Moscow observers were struck by the more cordial tone of China’s message in

comparison with Chinese greetings to the Russian leaders a year ago, which made no reference to relations between the two parties. It was signed by Mao TseTung, China’s Communist chief, Liu Shao-Chi, the Head of State, Marshal Chu Teh, chairman of the standing committee of rhe National People’s Congress, and Chou En-lai, the Prime Minister. Mr Chou heads the sevenman Chinese delegation which has come to Moscow for the celebrations.

He was received by Mr Leonid Brezhnev, the Russian party chief, Mr Alexei Kosygin, the Prime Minister and the President, Mr Anastas Mikoyan. “Pravda” said he had “friendly” conversations with the three leaders, but the form of the announcement differed from descriptions of the meetings East German and Bulgarian leaders had with Mr Brezhnev. These were called “friendly and cordial.” The head of the North Korean delegation, Deputy-Prem-ier Kim 11, also had “friendly” conversations with Mr Brezhnev and Mr Kosygin. CHINESE VIEW The Chinese message, which ended with the phrase, “Long live the unbreakable friendship of the peoples of China and the Soviet Union,” echoed an editorial in today’s Peking “Peoples’ Daily.” The editorial said China was certain that “difficulties which have temporarily appeared” between the two parties were only a historical episode and could be resolved gradually. The Soviet Union showed off its latest missiles in a

giant Red square parade yesterday, including an 80-foot “anti-missile missile” and a “fantastic bird-like” rocket claimed to be able to destroy any fast-flying target. The show of military might, according to the Russian news agency, Tass, included giant rockets capable of destroying ballistic missiles at great distances, and long-range nuclears übmarine rockets able to deal “devastating blows” at targets several thousand kilometres away. Also on view were intercontinental strategic missiles which, Tass claimed, could strike with great accuracy even at small targets. But in his traditional November 7 speech to troops lined up in the Red square Marshal Rodion Malinovsky, the Russian Defence Minister, spoke of peaceful co-existence and echoed the moderate tone of recent Kremlin statements. ANTI-MISSILE

Mr Brezhnev, Mr Chou, and Communist chiefs from 11 other countries watched the parade, held to celebrate the forty-seventh anniversary of the Russian revolution. Among the 14 different types of rockets observers saw a fat, dark green, cylinder, shaped like a Havana cigar, with a “dustbin lid” at one end and four red-painted nozzles at the other. It was about 80 feet long and had a slotted exterior casing. The Tass commentator identified this weapon—seen today for the first time by the West—as an anti-missile missile capable of destroying "any ballistic missile at great distances from the installations they are defending.” It may be one of the giant missiles guarding Moscow and other cities against inter-

continents ballistic missile attack.

At least four new types of rocket were included in the display. Rockets and other weapons rumbled past the reviewing stand at 20 miles an hour, and observers had only 10 seconds to note their characteristics. FIRST TIME

Today’s exhibition of Russian rocketry was the most revealing for many years in the number of missiles shown for the first time. Experts said the parade was probably arranged before the recent Government reshuffle.

Mr Chou, who is expected to take part in unity talks here next week, mingled with the Communist leaders on the top of Lenin’s tomb and waved at Muscovites as they tramped past in a light snowfall. A civilian parade, including thousands of gymnasts, children and workers waving flags, banners and balloons, followed the military parade. The Communist leaders from China and other states heard Marshal Malinovsky pledge the Russian Army to defend the whole socialist community from “the aggressors.”

He said the Soviet Union sought improved relations with all countries, but since some imperialist quarters would not abandon military ventures the Soviet Union was concerned to equip its forces with the most up-to-date means of warfare. Mr Chou later joined other Communist leaders at a Kremlin “unity” party, the first social get-together of the Moscow summit meeting. But the party mood was subdued and restrained. TOAST TO UNITY The Chinese leader, in a crumpled grey tunic, sipped a glass of sweet wine as Russian leaders toasted unity, peace and the fire-power of the Russian armed forces. Only Mr Brezhnev and other Russian leaders spoke at the party, and they confined themselves to toasts. Informed sources said they expected most the Communist summit meeting talks to be carried on bilaterally or in small groups, but that at some stage the groups would come together.