Kennedy meets Brezhnev

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33516, 23 April 1974, Page 15

Kennedy meets Brezhnev

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MOSCOW, April 22. Senator Edward Kennedy today met the Soviet Communist Party Chief (Mr Brezhnev), to explain the Democrats’ view of United StatesSoviet Union detente, especially in the light of the Watergate scandal.

The Soviet authorities have shown considerable [concern at developments in [the Watergate case, and the press has attacked “reactionaries” and opponents of detente in the United States for seeking to overthrow President Nixon.

Yesterday, Mr Kennedy told an audience at Moscow University that Watergate had caused difficulties for the Presidency, “But still it has been the greatest day for the institution of the free press,” he said.

Observers in Moscow expect that the Democratic Senator will reassure Mr Brezhnev that American foreign policy will retain a certain continuity, whatever happens domestically.

At the university. Senator Kennedy faced angry critiIcism from his audience when he tried to find out whether [young Russians wanted [their Government to spend more or less, on defence. A white-haired professor [accused him of provocation, [and other people supported [the professor.

The senator also had more than two hours of talks with the Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr Andrei Gromyko) yesterday. They discussed every important sphere of international relations, leaving few subjects untouched, before Mr Kennedy’s meeting with Mr Brezhnev. Nevertheless, the Soviet Party Chief is almost certain to seek views on likely developments after the 1976 Presidential elections, when a Democrat might be in the White House. At his address in Moscow University yesterday, how-

ever. Mr Kennedy told a [questioner that he d'd not intend to be a candidate ihimself for the presidency in [two vears time.

' So far. Senator Kennedy’s [visit to Moscow, which started on Thursday, has passed almost unnoticed by (the average Soviet citizen Press coverage of his trip has been minimal, with only [brief reports of his activities [appearing in the newspapers, ;and he has had little opportunity to meet ordinary Russians.