The World : Moscow Easing Book Ban

The Soviet Union, in a major censorship review, has lifted a ban on 3,500 books as well as import restrictions on the Bible and the Koran, Islam’s sacred book, two Soviet newspapers reported. The daily Soviet Culture said the books include the memoirs of Alexander Kerensky, whose provisional democratic government was overthrown by Vladimir I. Lenin in 1917. The newspaper also said that writings by dissident authors will be examined to determine whether they should be available in public libraries. The Communist Party daily Pravda reported that a law to allow a vanity press is also being considered. Neither newspaper, however, said whether foreign literature was among the now-approved books.