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GV Interior of congress hall.
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GV Vietnamese delegate being introduced to congress
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GV East German delegate being introduced
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GV Fidel Castro being introduced
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GB Brezhnev speaking as delegates applaud (3 shots)
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More than five thousand Soviet and foreign delegates are attending the congress at the Kremlin. Its the first such assembly since 1971.



Among the many Communist Party leaders present was East Germany's Erich Honecker, but the French Party leader, Georges Marchais, is not attending because of differences between the French and Soviet parties.



One of the best known party leaders at the congress was the Cuban Premier Fidel Castro. Dr Castro last visited the Soviet Union in 1972. This is the first time he's attended a Soviet party congress.



The congress was officially opened by the Soviet leader, Mr Brezhnev, who renewed charges that China was striving to undermine detente and set off a new world conflict. He also declared that forces opposing peaceful co-operation were active in the West, particularly in the United States and West Germany, fabricating allegations that the Soviet Union itself presented a threat to peace.




Initials RH/2205 RH/MF/AH/2245



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The 25th congress of the Soviet Communist Party opened in Moscow Tuesday (24 February) with an admission by the party leader, Leonid that the Kremlin had failed to deliver all the goods it promised Soviet consumers.

Mr. Brezhnev, addressing more than five thousand Soviet and foreign delegates at the congress, recalled pledges of more and better consumer goods which he himself made at the last assembly five years ago.

He said it must be admitted that success had not been achieved in coping with this task in its entirety.

In a hard-hitting review of economic problems, Mr. Brezhnev said the Soviet Communist Party had attached tremendous significance to developing the country's consumer oriented Group B industries, but was still not satisfied with the results.

In his keynote speech to the assembly, which is being attended by Communist leaders from all over the world, Mr. Brezhnev also renewed charges that China was striving to undermine detente and set of a new world conflict.

He also declared that forces opposing peaceful co-operation were active in the west, particularly in the United States and West Germany, fabricating allegations that the Soviet Union itself presented a threat to peace.

The congress is expected to last until 5 march, during which time it will lay down guidelines for the Soviet Unions political course and economic development over the next five years.