MOSCOW TALKS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31585, 24 January 1968, Page 13

MOSCOW TALKS

Brooke May Be Subject (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) MOSCOW, Jan. 23. The Prime Minister, Mr Harold Wilson, will almost certainly raise the question of the imprisoned British subject, Gerald Brooke, in talks today with the Russian Prime Minister, Mr Alexei Kosygin. The two leaders, who last night had discussions described as “friendly” will meet twice today—the second day of Mr Wilson’s three-day visit.

He is also due to call on the Soviet Communist Party secretary, Mr Leonid Brezhnev, for the first time since he became Britain’s Prime Minister in 1964. Brooke is serving a fiveyear sentence in a Soviet labour camp for anti-Soviet activity. The Russians have ignored requests for consular access over the last year, and recently hinted Brooke might be retried for spying if the campaign continued in Britain for his release. British and Soviet officials maintained complete silence on the talks last night which continued at an informal dinner except to say they covered the whole gamut of world affairs and AngloSoviet relations.