1.
GV Aircraft taxiis in
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LV ZOOM INTO GV Castro, and President at foot of aircraft & Kosygin down aircraft steps Kosygin & Castro embrace
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LV Crowds watching
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LV Hi-jacked U.S. Jumbo Jet parked on corner of airfield
0.38

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SV Party across tarmac
0.45

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LV Crowds
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SV Kosygin & Castro inspect guard of honour, and band marches past (3 shots)
1.20

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Kosygin and crowds wave to each other (2 shots)
1.39

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GV Portraits of Castro and Kosygin mounted on wall of airport building
1.47

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GV Castro, Kosygin and President across tarmac
1.58



Initials BB/0103 JL/BOB/BB/0056


SATELLITE TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Crowds, flags and lively bands greeted Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin, when he arrived in Havana on Tuesday (26 October). Cuban Premier Fidel Castro and President Osvaldo Dorticos warmly greeted Mr. Kosygin at the airport, a gesture highlighting the contrast of today's reception with the coolness with which the Soviet leader was first received in Cuba in 1967.

The airport was decorated with huge portraits of both Mr. Kosygin and Dr. Castro. In the corner of the airfield stood an American jumbo jet--hijacked to Cuba shortly before the Soviet leader's arrival and awaiting permission to return to the United States.

Four years ago there was no crowd and Mr. Kosygin, arriving from talks with then U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, received only a polite handshake from Fidel Castro.

It was not known how long the Soviet leader would stay in cuba this time. Officials have said only that he would be there "for a few days".

SYNOPSIS: The last time Soviet Leader Alexei Kosygin was in Cuba was in 1967, when relations between the two states were not at their best, and no communique was issued after four-days of talks. But their was no hint of coldness in Havana on Tuesday, as Fidel castro--bridging diplomatic etiquette--stepped ahead of the President of Cuba, cheerfully to embrace the Soviet leader.

The only unusual aspect of the well-organised but warm ceremony was the presence at the end of the runway of a hijacked American jumbo jet, which was forced to land in Cuba during the night, just a few hours before the arrival of Mr. Kosygin. Fidel Castro looked fit and well, despite reports that he was ill. All that does seem certain is that he has given up smoking cigars, because of chest trouble. Behind the scenes of official welcomes, was a great deal of political speculation as to what exactly the two leaders are talking about.

Many people think that they will be trying to coordinate their policy decisions, before President Nixon goes to Moscow in the spring. Cuba does not see the United States in quite the same way as the Soviet Union. While Moscow and Washington, not to mention Peking, are talking to each other, Cuba still ha no direct contacts with the United States. And so, there is an emphasis on Cuban-Soviet friendship--partly in the hope that American dealings with the Soviet Union will not affect Cuban dealings with the Soviets.