Cable Briefs

Press, 10 May 1979, Page 8

Cable Briefs

‘Pravda’ criticises Soviet propaganda fails to convince many Russians because it is childish, does not respect their level of education, and tries too hard to cover up the defects of Soviet society, the Communist Party daily, “Pravda” has said in an editorial. “Pravda” said newspapers and television should discuss openly the Soviet Union’s domestic difficulties and problems and not gloss over them with cosmetic words. Shroud safe Two teen-agers broke into Turin Cathedral at the weekend in an attempt to steal the Holy Shroud, venerated as the burial linen of Jesus Christ. The two were caught after they set off an electronic alarm, and are now in custody. The police said the Holy Shroud was undamaged, and the two haji not touched the casket where the relic was held. Officials said the two probably had been acting “on orders” from someone who may have commissioned the theft. —Turin.

Sellers split

The British comedian, Peter Sellers, and his fourth wife, the actress, Lynne Frederick, are to be divorced after only three years of marriage, according to reports in London. Sellers, aged 53, told the London “Daily Mail” that they had agreed to end their marriage during an Atlantic telephone call. Miss Frederick, aged 25. is in Hollywood, and Sellers is in London. “We had thought our marriage would last forever. Sadly, few things in life do,” Sellers said. — London.

Facts corrected

China has said many published details of the lives of its leaders were incorrect and has added that history books are now being amended. The New China News Agency did not give any illustrations, however, when it reported that new biographies on late Communist Party Chairman, Mao Tse-tung, and other leaders had been published in Hunan, Mao’s home province. It said 25 books had been published or were about to come off the presses on a number of leaders. “While writing and compiling these works, the authors made many investigating tours where they talked to relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms and other witnesses. Many historical facts, mentioned in other stories but not actually true, have been corrected,” the agency said. — Peking.