Kosygin Challenges Chinese Influence

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30668, 6 February 1965, Page 15

Kosygin Challenges Chinese Influence

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

TOKYO, February 5.

The Soviet Premier, Mr Kosygin, arrived in Peking today and was greeted by Premier Chou En-lai and other high Chinese officials. He was expected to stay for 24 hours on his way to North Vietnam.

Mr Kosygin’s visit to North Vietnam is expected to result in more military and economic aid to the Hanoi Government.

There was no official confirmation that he would talk with Chinese leaders during the break in his journey. Unofficial sources in Moscow said he was expected to do so, either now or on his return next week.

His trip demonstrates Soviet support for North Vietnam, which has sympathised with Peking in the Chinese-Soviet ideological dispute. It is seen by observers as possibly a turn in MoscowPeking relations. The Associated Press says Mr Kosygin will probably offer the Hanoi Government weapons for defence against any American strikes into North Vietnam. His mission also carries strong overtones of a Soviet challenge to predominant Chinese influence in Southeast Asia.

As Mr Kosygin was leaving Moscow yesterday, Mr Chou En-lai said the dispute between Moscow and Peking would continue.

Mr Chou accused the Soviet Communist Party of trying to monopolise world communism.

In Hanoi, the North Vietnamese Government newspaper “Nhan Dan” published a Soviet message proclaiming unity between the two peoples in the struggle against imperialism. The Soviet delegation includes Marshal K. A. Vershinin, vice-Defence Minister of the Soviet Air Force; and Mr E. P. Loginov, Minister of Civil Aviation.

Since the clash last August in the Gulf of Tonkin between U.S. naval forces and

North Vietnamese units, the Hanoi Government has been seeking help in putting up better air defences.

China responded by sending at least three dozen fighter planes to North Viet-

nam, but of the obsolete MiGl5 and MiGl7 types. Peking evidently does not have sufficient modern aircraft and anti-aircraft equip-

ment to meet all North Vietnamese needs, the “New York Times” says.