Soviet Legation Protests

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31767, 26 August 1968, Page 22

Soviet Legation Protests

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 25.

The Soviet Legation protested in a Note to the New Zealand External Affairs Department on Friday about behaviour of Wellington student demonstrators outside the Legation.

The First Secretary, Mr E. Pozdnayakov, said in a telephone interview that the Note had been sent after students had thrown stones, broken locks on gates and shouted provocative words. He claimed that the students also kicked out at cars entering the grounds, rang the bell constantly, and kept staff awake during the night with loud singing. Mr Pozdnayakov said he spoke to the demonstrators.

“I told them that we have no hostile feelings towards them and that politically they have the right to demontrate, but they should demon-

strate in a serious way and not act like hoodlums.” He said he had asked the police to control the demonstrators but did not know what action the police had taken.

An External Affairs Department spokesman declined comment but confirmed receipt of the Note. Police said this afternoon that demonstrators camped at the Legation gates had given no trouble.