Russia-Mongolia Pact

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 11

Russia-Mongolia Pact

| (A’.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MOSCOW, Jan. 17. The first secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, Mr Leonid Brezhnev, ended a fiveday visit to Mongolia today after signing a military treaty that apparently identifies China as a potential enemy, the Associated Press reported. Before leaving for Moscow from the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator, Mr Brezhnev said the treaty “strengthens the defence of our countries.” As Mongolia has borders

with China and the Soviet Union, observers took this to indicate defences against China.

Mongolia’s small army is trained and equipped by the Soviet Union. Mr Brezhnev’s remarks and a speech by the Mongolian Premier and secretary of the Mongolian Communist Party, Mr Yumzhagain Tsedenbal, were reported by the official Soviet news agency. Tass, from Ulan Bator. The speeches emphasised Mongolia’s complete adherence to Soviet views. Mongolia’s Communist regime was established almost 45 years ago with Soviet help and has had Soviet help ever since. Mr Brezhnev signed the

new treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance on Saturday. A 20-year treaty signed in February, 1946, had been worded, with Japan, which tried to invade Mongolia just before World War IL as the potential enemy. Provisions of the new treaty have not been published. The new treaty “reflects the changing situation in Asia,” according to several Soviet and Mongolian officials. This is believed to be a recognition that Japan has faded from the scene and China emerged. China claims that Mongolia should belong to it and was illegally wrested away almost 45 years ago by Soviet influence.