VISIT OF THE US WARSHIPS

Volleys of national fireworks were heard over Kronstadt yesterday, announcing the arrival 
in Leningrad of the official visit of courtesy detachment of the United States warships. Under 
the command of Rear Admiral Justin E. Langille, to the harbor city on the Neva came the 
frigate "Leahy" and destroyer "Tattnall".

The welcome was comprised of an honor guard of the Soviet seamen. On behalf of the 
command of the Leningrad Naval Base, guests welcomed Rear Admiral IM Kolchin.

The ships were met by US Consul General in Leningrad, Joseph Walter Nyubert.

Leningradites warmly welcomed the US sailors. In the port state flagpoles flags of the 
United States of America and the Soviet Union were raised.

The commander of the detachment of US warships visited the chairman of the executive 
committee of the Leningrad City Council VI Kazakov. Thanking on behalf of crews for the 
warm welcome and hospitality, Rear Admiral Justin E. Langille said US sailors with a sense 
of joy arrived at mole of Kaliningrad in the momentous days of celebration of the 30th 
anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism.

Justin E. Langille also paid visits to the commander of the Order of Lenin Leningrad Military 
District Colonel-General AI Fungal, commander of the Leningrad Naval Base, Vice Admiral 
VM Leonenkova, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR in Leningrad 
GI Popov. On the ships they paid a mutual visit.

In an interview with LenTASS, Justin E. Langille said the mutual visits of US ships with the 
Soviet Union are called a "historic event."

"We are happy to be in your city. Leningrad withstood the unprecedented 900-day siege 
during the Second World War, and Americans admired the courage of its defenders, "- said 
the commander of the squad further.

Asked about the cooperation of the United States and the Soviet Union, he noted the positive 
developments in this direction in recent years. "The current visit of US warships, carried out 
for the first time in the postwar period, no doubt will undoubtedly serve to further enhance 
friendship and understanding among the peoples of our countries", - said Justin E. Langill. As 
a United States citizen, he believes that the upcoming Summit of President Gerald Ford with 
the CC CPSU General Secretary Comrade LI Brezhnev will undoubtedly serve to further 
enhance US-Soviet friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. "In these momentous 
days of celebration of the 30th anniversary of the defeat of Hitler's fascism, I would like to 
remember all the brave Leningrad who defended his city against enemies. We must make an 
effort, never again to have been the war. "

US sailors will stay in Leningrad five days. They will meet with the Soviet sailors and officers, 
residents of the city, sightseeing and monuments of Leningrad.

(LenTASS) Photo by E. Ivanova