Soviet Position at Big Four Meeting Appears More Flexible Than in Past Few Months

Informed sources reported the Soviet position seemed more flexible at today’s meeting of the Big Four than it has been in the past several months, during which time the USSR’s Middle East position was described by diplomatic sources as “intransigent.” Soviet Ambassador Yakob A. Malik was the only ambassador at today’s meeting, held at the residence of the British deputy. The other ambassadors, who are on vacation, were represented by their deputies. A diplomatic source said nothing new emerged from today’s meeting. “Everyone is marking time waiting to see what the responses are to the United States and Soviet Union peace initiatives,” the source said. The deputies will meet again on Friday and the Big Four on August 5. Ambassador Malik was reported to be preparing to leave for vacation and is not expected to return until the General Assembly reconvenes in mid-September.