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GV EXT Monrovia Executive Mansion
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SV INT President Tolbert speaking (2 shots)
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SV President shakes hands with Soviet envoy (2 shots)
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SV Envoy shakes hands with Government officials (3 shots)
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SV President shakes hands with officials
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CU Envoy PULL BACK TO Envoy with President
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Initials BB/2254 SH/AS/BB/2246



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Background: President William Tolbert accepted the credentials of the first Soviet Ambassador to Liberia on Friday (December 8) and said that while his country could benefit from bilateral cooperation, Liberia would not be influenced by any alien ideology or allow itself to be dominated by any particular bloc.

Acknowledging the tremendous strides that the Soviet Union has made in the fields of science and technology, the Liberian leader noted that the establishment of embassies in the two countries ushered in a new epoch based on Liberia's policy to extend and consolidate international relations everywhere, regardless of geographical considerations and irrespective of economic, military or political potentiality.

The new ambassador, Mr. Dmitri Safonov, said earlier that in accordance with the Leninist principles of peaceful foreign policy, the Soviet Union was intent on developing and consolidating international cooperation with all countries on the basis of equality, strict respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. Mr. Safonov arrived in Monrovia, the Liberian capital, a week ago.

Liberia's ambassador to the Soviet Union, Mr. Francis Dennis, is expected to depart for Moscow shortly.

SYNOPSIS: At the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, the Liberian capital, a new diplomatic epoch with the Soviet Union was ushered in on Friday by President William Tolbert.

The Liberian leader was accepting the credentials of the first Soviet ambassador to the country, Mr. Dmitri Safonov.

After the brief ceremony, the new ambassador met senior government officials. Earlier, he told them that in accordance with Leninist principles of peaceful foreign policy, the Soviet Union was in favour of strengthening universal peace. It also wanted to develop international cooperation on the basis of strict respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.

President Tolbert said bilateral cooperation would be beneficial to Liberia. But he added that his country would not allow itself to be dominated by any particular political bloc.