PROCESSION: WREATH LAYING CEREMONY: CHOMULO INSPECTS GUARD OF HONOUR: MARCH PAST.




Initials GEP/VS/BOB/OS



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Background: SOVIET TROOPS PARADED BEFORE THE RUSSIAN WAR MEMORIAL IN THE BRITISH SECTOR OF WEST BERLIN TODAY (SUNDAY) TO COMMEMORATE THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE RED ARMY.

A HUNDRED SOLDIERS FROM THE EAST BERLIN GARRISON, WEARING DRESS UNIFORMS AND GREATCOATS, MARCHED BEHIND A MILITARY BAND TO LAY WREATHS AT THE FOOT OF THE MEMORIAL WHICH LIES JUST INSIDE WEST BERLIN, CLOSE THE BRANDENBURG GATE.

COLONEL GENERAL CHOMULO, THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE WARSAW PACT FORCES, INSPECTED THE TROOPS. CZECHOSLOVAK, NORTH VIETNAMESE AND VIET CONG REPRESENTATIVES WERE AMONG THOSE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY.

BRITISH MILITARY POLICE AND WEST BERLIN POLICE LINED THE ROUTE OF THE PARADE, WHICH LASTED FOR HALF AN HOUR.

SOVIET PARADES ARE HELD AT THE MEMORIAL THREE TIMES A YEAR.