Kennedy Considering Khrushchev Meeting

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 15

Kennedy Considering Khrushchev Meeting

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright)

NEW YORK, May 15. President Kennedy was giving serious consideration to a conference with Mr Khrushchev in Europe next month, according to reports by American news agencies and authoritative newspapers today. Reuter said that some leading Senators had reacted favourably to the reports of the possible meeting.

Meanwhile, after a quiet week-end at Palm Beach, the President was flying back to Washington today to prepare for a visit to Ottawa tomorrow.

His Canadian visit willbe his first official trip outside the United States. He has already seen the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) and the West German Chancellor (Dr. Adenauer) and other national leaders, in Washington At the end of this month he will go to Paris for talks with President de Gaulle. His first meeting with the Russian premier might take place soon after the Paris consultations, which would complete his exchanges of views with Western leaders. Reuter reported. Conference in June

A “New York Times” correspondent in a dispatch from Palm Beach said the President was considering the conference in a mid-European city in early June. The New York “HeraldTribune” quoted diplomatic authorities in Washington as saying that the President wanted an informal meeting with the Soviet Premier in about three weeks. Both United Press International and Associated Press said that the meeting would probably be held in Stockholm or Vienna next month. The deadlock in the Geneva nuclear test ban talks is believed to be the chief reason for Mr Kennedy’s willingness to meet Mr Khrushchev He does not want the West to break off the talks while

there is the slightest chance of success. But there is mounting pressure in Washington that a deadline should be set for agreement, after which the United States would continue testing while still negotiating. Associated Press said that President Kennedy apparently was receptive to the idea that he and the Soviet Premier must “get together” shortly to try to form some basis for solving dangerous urgent problems pressing down at various spots in the world U.P.I. said that one purpose of such a meeting could be to give the President an opportunity to inform Mr Khrushchev face-to-face of the United States’ stand against Communist pressure around the world The congressional reaction to a two-man summit came in the absence of any official confirmation that such a meeting was contemplated. No Denial But there was no denial, according to reports. The White House press secretary (Mr Pierre Salinger) said in answer to questions last night: "There are no plans for any such meeting at present.” Asked whether there was any significance in his use of the words "at present," Mr Salinger replied: ‘Tm not going to say another word about it."

The Senate Democratic leader, Senator M. Mansfield, was the first to endorse a possible meeting. ‘The proposal should be given the most serious consideration because the problems of the world have to be faced up to." he told reporters. He said such a meeting would be “advisable and worthwhile" and urged that the problems of West Berlin and of South-East Asia be discussed, as well as disarmament. Senator S Bridges, a Republican, said: “I can see no harm in such a meeting. I would not be against it but would expect very little to be accomplished.”