Kosygin On His Way To Peking

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30667, 5 February 1965, Page 11

Kosygin On His Way To Peking

(N.Z.P.A.-Retiter—Copyright) MOSCOW, February 4.

The Soviet Prime Minister, Mr A. Kosygin, sets out today on a trip to North Vietnam, Peking and China. Officials here have confirmed that he is flying by way of Peking, which is on the normal Moscow-Hanoi air route. The visit to Hanoi may signal a new turn in the bitter ideological dispute which has threatened to seriously split the Communist world.

Mr Kosygin’s visit to North Vietnam, so far slightly sympathetic with China, shows the Russians see chances of Hanoi’s observing neutrality in the dispute. Western observers suggest that the make-up of the Soviet delegation means that Hanoi can expect help in expanding its air power with any aid offered by the Russians. Some believe that Soviet involvement in North Vietnam, possibly including the stationing there of Russian

military advisers, could have a moderating influence. It is doubted that Mr Kosygin is making the trip without Chinese acquiescence for China is also giving military aid to North Vietnam, and Soviet supplies would probably have to be co-ordinated logistically with the Chinese.

Western observers believe the Kremlin remains keenly interested in developing better relations with Washington, and that consequently Mr Kosygin will operate cautiously while in Vietnam.