WR: NO RESULT APPARENT FROM KOSYGIN - CHOU EN-LAI MEETING

Created: 9/19/1969

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9 SC NO.9

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No Result Apparent Fromhou En-lai Meeting

is no indication that the meeting in Peking betweeniet Premier Kosygin and ChinesePremier Chou En-laiesulted in any significant improvement in Sino-Soviet Chinese behavior suggests the contrary. It seemsertain that the hastily arranged meeting occurred at Sovietperhaps with the Northacting as intermediary.

* Kosygin probably used the occasion to emphasize thewith which Moscow views the present border confrontation and to underscore Soviet determination to react forcefully to any Chinese provocations. At the same time he probably reiterated Soviet willingness to hold talks onorder problem and may haveto keep China underon this issue by indicating that the situation was getting out of control.

resentation would have served several Soviet It would have dramatized to the Chinese at an authoritative and personal level the grave view Moscow takes of what it regards as provocations against the USSR. The Soviets probably believe that Peking is willing to accept aof the present level of border conflict unless it can be convinced that Moscow is prepared to take harsh measures. At the same time, the Soviets are clearly unhappy about the tendency of much of the Communist movement and the

rest of the world tolame equally in the dispute.

The Soviets see themselvesisadvantage because many of their enemies and allies believe they can take advantage ofpreoccupation with'the Moscow probably hopes that Kosygin's dramatic visit will serve to show that it is seeking toie differences peacefully. The Soviets have" refrained -from*against Peking_since theprobably to underscore their stance as the party willing to moderate the dispute, and perhaps also.to emphasize to China their willingness to take some of the heat out of the situation.

cold reception,eking and the terse Chineseon the meeting were clearly designed to avoid the impression of formal Sino-Soviet discussions. The Chinese were probablyto talk directly with Kosygin, but may have been unwilling to bear the onus for refusing to meet,in light of Ho Chi Minh's last testament appealing for unity between the two parties. In the Chinese are undoubtedly concerned over the possibilityerious escalation of theand may have seen somein sounding out Soviet

It is too early to tell whether Peking will respondositive fashion to the Soviet initiative. On the propaganda

An

however, Peking isan air of implacable hostility. Oneptember China made aattempt to portray the USSR as the aggressive party in the dispute by calling attention to the possibility of an atomicby "socialclear allusion to recent public speculationossible Soviet pre-emptive strike against China. The statement is partlogan for this year's National Day celebrationsctober and

is likely tO-aggravate_tensions.

between Moscow

The Soviet stand-down inis unlikely to last much longer in the face of thestream of invective from China's behavior couldthe Soviets to re-enter the propaganda battle with the renewed claim that Moscow had sought to temper the dispute but isto defend itself against Peking's "aggressive" intentions.

WEEKLY REV

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