Timing Bad to Focus on Soviet Family; Group Postpones Trip

Focus on the Family, a Pomona-based religious organization founded by author and psychologist James Dobson, has decided that this week is not the time to try to focus attention on family life in the Soviet Union, which is undergoing sweeping changes.

Dobson was to have led a delegation of 40 people from his organization to Moscow this week to conduct a series of discussions on family life with Soviet officials, psychologists and religious leaders.

Paul Hetrick, Focus vice president, said the trip was postponed after Dobson, who flew to London last week, consulted with a number of officials, including Secretary of State James A. Baker III, whose wife, Susan, is a member of the Focus board of directors.

Hetrick said the visit will be rescheduled, probably next year.

Focus on the Family has produced films, radio programs, books and newspaper columns in Russian for distribution in the Soviet Union in an effort to promote its views on marriage, parenting and religion.