Co-existence

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31678, 14 May 1968, Page 17

Co-existence

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

MOSCOW, May 13.

The Soviet Union indicated yesterday that it might be prepared to embark on a policy of peaceful co-existence with Czechoslovakia, Rumania and other less-than-orthodox Communist countries in return for international Socialist unity, an N.Z.P.A.-Reuter correspondent reported.

But, as in Russia’s peaceful co-existence with the West, sharp ideological attacks would continue against whal Moscow regards as deviations from or opposition to Marx-ism-Leninism. This was the apparent mes sage in a survey of world events by Tomas Kolesnichenko, a Commentator for the Communist Party newspaper. “Pravda," which dealt in part with last Wednesday’s meeting of the four Communist chiefs most loyal to the Moscow line. Observers believe—end the Kolesnichenko article and a “Pravda” editorial yesterdaj seemed to confirm the beliel —that the Russians would put over-all unity on major issues above domestic deviations from hard-line communism.

If they decided otherwise, some observers pointed out, they will ultimately be faced with the choice of either

bringing the Czechoslovaks and Rumanians into line by Force or of pushing the two countries furthur out of the Communist camp. The former choice is one considered far too drastic for the present leaders. Virtually all diplomatic observers regard reports of Soviet troop movements near the Czechoslovak border as routine spring manoeuvres. The latter choice—alienation of the Czechoslovaks and the Rumanians—would leave the Kremlin with only four reliable allies among the once solid 13 other ruling Communist parties.