PART I OF IMMEDIATE INTEREST - EAST-WEST RELATIONS,PRAVDA

Created: 5/12/1960

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INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY0

F IMMEDIATE INTEREST

EAST-WEST RELATIONS

aggressive exploitation of the aircraft incidentay reflects his confidence that he can use this Issue to good advantage in strengthening hisposition. At the same time, however, he hasthat he does not wish to slam any doors In or upset at tho last minute bis long campaign to bring the Western leaderseeting under what he considers highly favorable conditions. Soviet propaganda, Khrushchev's remarks, and the formal Soviet protest note show that Moscow Is preparing the ground for further measures to capitalize on the incident,omplaint to the United Nationsrial of the American pilot.

Soviet propaganda media are giving the plane incident, relatively moderate publicity. Several previous Khrushchev speeches have been givencoverage by Moscow thanay speech, and routine radio comment has not been voluminous. Domestic propaganda has not stressed the danger ofwaresult of such flights. ravda editorialay made it clear that the incident should not bea "crisis" situation. There have been nobefore the US Embassy ln Moscow, although the embassy hasumber oftelegrams. Maes meetings of workers reportedly have been held In several cities, but

there has been no concerned effort to arouse anti-American feeling.

Khrushchev gave the lead ln this approach by stressing inay speech that his exposure of details of theshould not be Interpretedcall to strain nerves ln ourut as an "appeal forigilance, and reason. He followed this up ln his remarks at the Czech Embassy receptionay by calling for an end to further aggravation of US-3ovlet.

Khrushchev's remarksPresident Elsenhower at an impromptu press conference during the display of the downed aircraft would seem to undermine to some extent the position he took ln hisSoviet speechesay ln which he carefully avoided attributing directfor the aircraft Incident to the President.to Western pressthe Soviet Western press reports, the Soviet premier stated that his estimate of the President had been revised, but Moscow Imposed censorship onaccounts until theTASS version was released.

TASS omitted some ofremarks and altered other statements. TASS quotesas saying that Secretary Barter's statement "has made us

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doubt the correctness of our earlier conclusion that the President, the Americandid not know about the flights." The Sovietof Khrushchev's remarks also avoids the question of the President's visit to the USSR, TASS quotes Khrushchev'sto the politeness of the Soviet people, although lt

with the sanction of theGovernment.

Khrushchev has seized on the incident to renew pressure against countries which grant basos to tbe United States. In an effort to generate distrust and alarm over US utilization of these bases, Khrushchev

igh-altitude research plane.

be difficult for them to welcome himuest.

Khrushchev also moved to forestall speculation thatof the Incident was an effort to disrupt the summit by sending notesay to the Western heads of government confirming proposed procedural details and expressing hopeuccessful summit. In Moscow's official protest note ofay, however, the Soviet Government challenged the US statement that the flight was notby Washington. In building Its caso against the US, the note charged that this version "does not correspond to reality" and concluded that "espionago activities" were carried on

charged that the Sovietconsidered Norway, Turkey, and Pakistan "accomplices" In the matter. Re warneday that the Involvement of these governmentshostile act against the Soviet Union" and emphasized that they "must now see" the consequences of lending their territories for "aggressive purposes."

More explicitly, Inay speech he called on those countries which have foreign bases to "note carefully" that flights from these bases would draw direct retaliation. At the Czech reception heoint of publicly upbraiding theambassador and thecharge!.

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developing hia threats ol' retaliation against the US, Khrushchev has been careful to avoid any direct commitment. Inay address, he that an "adventurist, prone to dizziness" couldydrogen bomb on foreign soil, which would lead to the droppingore destructive bomb on the country where thewas born. The officialto the US, however, was limitod to stating that If "similar provocations arethe USSR will be obliged to take retaliatory measures."

Moscow apparentlyurther series of moves tothe maximum propaganda value from the incident.reaffirmed onay his Intention to take theto the UN Security Council, but gave no indication of the timing ofove. He addod that if the Security Council does not "take the righthe USSR will raise the matter ln the General Assembly. relude to rial of the pilot, formal charges together with anconfession were placed on display at the exhibition of tho aircraft of thewreckage onay.

Chinese Roaction

Peiping's propagandaof the Incident, whilelow in volume, ison "proving" lack ofsincerity in thesummit meeting. eople 's Daily editorialay states that the Incident "is by no means accidental" and that the US Government "is devoid of any sinceritythe summitn

an effort to justify Peiping's basic disagreement withdetente tactics, the editorial asserts thatmilitary provocations and the threat of war against China continue." The editorialthat Peiping had been right all along, and Khrushchev wrong, and that his "patient, conciliatory, and accommodating attitude" is regarded by the united Statesign of Soviet weakness."

This Chinese view, expressed in part by Premier Chou En-lal's remark in Hanoi that the West is taking advantage of theof tension andto wield "the butcher'stems from Peiping's fear that the summit couldthe existing status quo in the Far East. The Chinese leaders, calculating that at some future period they will find the opportune moment to again probehinesedetermination to defend the offshore islands In the face of international opinion reluctant to see ajor war flare up over these Islands, are trying to place the onus for any Increased hostilities on the United States.

Current Chinese propaganda on US is a direct of theby Chou En-la1 hen he the United Statespoaceful negotiation" cover for its action expanding interfering

in China's internal affairs."

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