Moscow TASS International Service (in Russian) 0845 GMT

The evil spirit of the “positions of strength” policy has suffered still another impressive defeat, writes Eduard Baskakov in Soviet Russia commentary about the Khartoum agreement settling the Somali-Ethiopian conflict. The author notes that it was not easy to arrive at this settlement. The Khartoum meeting took place to the accompaniment of further armed clashes. It should also not escape attention that certain Western papers inflated these clashes out of all proportion and unrestrainedly predicted the failure of these talks. They would like very much to pass off their wishes for the truth. But their hopes, Baskakov points out, have not been justified. Africa has found in itself the strength to overcome still another barrier on the road to peace and unity.

The worsening of relations between African countries can orily give pleasure to those counting on prospering from a weakening of African unity, the article says. The young Somali Republic, in only its fourth year of independent existence, is confronted with important and difficult tasks in the development of its economy. Both countries will have to defend themselves against neocolonialist aspirations of imperialism.

The fate of border posts can be determined without the aid of tanks, the author emphasizes in conclusion. This is quite within the capabilities of the statesmen who have gathered at the roundtable talks. The highway of mankind is peace. And it is a very good thing that it is on this road the Africans have found a solution to the points at issue between Somalia and Ethiopia. This is to be welcomed wholeheartedly.

_{FBIS-FRB-64-064, 1 Apr. 1964, p. BB10}