U.S., Soviets to Open Trade and Sea-Rescue Talks
A high-level U.S. government delegation arrived here Monday for talks on trade and economic cooperation, and U.S. and Soviet maritime officials are to meet today in Washington for discussions on coordinating sea rescue operations .
Lionel Olmer, undersecretary of commerce, headed the U.S. delegation to discuss ways of expanding bilateral trade at two days of talks starting today. They are the first such talks since 1979, when exchanges were suspended after Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.
The Washington meeting, also for two days, will be between U.S. Coast Guard officials and representatives of the Soviet merchant marine.
The two sides will explore ways of improving cooperation and communications for search and rescue operations in the waters between the Alaska and Siberian coasts, State Department spokesman Alan Romberg said in Washington. Officials in Washington said it will be the first time such discussions have been held.
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