THE SOVIET PRIME MINISTER WITH EAST GERMAN PRIME MINISTER WILLI STOPH, AND OFFICIALS AT A VANTAGE POINT NEAR THE BRANDENBURG GATE. ABOUT 150 YARDS AWAY, ACROSS THE WALL IN WEST BERLIN, REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WATCHED THE SCENE.




Initials DR/V/CR/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MR.ALEXI KOSYGIN, THE SOVIET PRIME MINISTER, ARRIVED IN EAST BERLIN TODAY (TUESDAY) FROM LEIPZIG.ONE OF THE FIRST EVENTS ON HIS ITINERARY WAS A VISIT TO THE BERLIN WALL.

THREE EAST GERMAN SENTRIES AT THE GATE, WEARING GREATCOATS, PRESENTED BOUQUETS OF PINK CARNATIONS TO MR.KOSYGIN.THE WEATHER WAS BITTERLY COLD AND HEAVY SNOW WAS FALLING.

MR.KOSYGIN HAD WALKED THROUGH THE SNOW TO THE GATE AND CLIMBED UP TO A ROOM NEAR THE ROOF.HE WAS ABLE TO SEE INTO WEST BERLIN FROM THE VISITORS' ROSTRUM.PEOPLE WATCHING FROM WEST BERLIN SAW A SOVIET OFFICER EXPLAINING THE SCENE TO HIM.

IN THE AFTERNOON MR.KOSYGIN ALSO PAID HIS RESPECTS TO THE THOUSANDS OF SOVIET SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN THE BATTLE FOR BERLIN IN 1945.HE VISITED THE MASS GRAVES WHERE SOME OF THE DEAD LIE BURIED BENEATH A GIANT STATUE OF A RUSSIAN SOLDIER.