Russian Youth Publications Editors Visit College in Exchange Program

Six middle-aged Russian "student" editors of USSR youth publications eagerly emphasized their country's progress at a press conference in Winthrop House yesterday. But they neatly side-stepped all questions about Khruschev and his policies.

Touring the United States on a new exchange program, the group explained that their ages range from 28 to 38 because they are editors of publications for the youth. In fact, only three are students, and these are "seeking a higher degree." The others are professional journalists.

The delegation avoided giving their opinion of Khruschev by claiming that since most of them were Communist Party members, Americans would not believe their answer anyway. Speaking through an interpreter, Yuri Voronov, leader of the delegation, explained that one man can do nothing. "But under Khrushchev the party has done many things," he added.

Voronov, who said many parts of Boston reminded him of Leningrad, is vice-editor of Komsomolskaya Pravada, a daily youth newspaper with a circulation of 2.6 million. He answered most of the questions for the group. Vitaly Botko and Vladlen Troshkin, the only two who are not members of the Communist Party, were generally silent.

Asked if his paper prints letters critical of the government, Voronov asserted that "we don't receive letters which criticize the government." He quickly added, however, that letters criticizing the work of specific ministries are received and are often published. The newspaper sometimes includes its own answer to the criticism.

Anatoly Valyozhenich, after expressing a desire to meet John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway, revealed his hope of becoming a writer of short-stories.