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Background: Mr. Walter Loridan, the Belgian Ambassador to the USSR, presents to Soviet polar workers orders, awarded then by Belgian King Boduen I for the rescue of four Belgian explorers in the Antarctic.

The presentation ceremony takes place at the Belgian Embassy in Moscow on April 28.

In his short speech, Mr. Loridan said that last December for four long days the Belgian people were following with the closest attention and great anxiety the search conducted by the Soviet pilot V. Perov and his fellow men.

The honorary orders conferred on the Soviet crew bear witness to the gratitude, respect and affection the Belgian people have for those who at the risk of their lives were searching for the members of the Belgian expedition.

Later, the Ambassador presented the orders to Mr. Tolstikev, chief of the Third Continental Soviet Antarctic expedition.

V. Perov, chief of the air detachment of the Antarctic expedition. V. Afonin, second pilot, B. Erodkin, navigator, V. Sergeyev and B. Menshikov, mechanics, N. Zorin, radio operator, V. Makushok, interpreter.

As he expressed his thanks for the awards, V. Perov said that Soviet flyers will always be ready to render assistance to people undergoing calamity.

Among those attending the ceremony were M. Georgadze, Secretary of the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium, and G. Pushkin, Deputy Soviet Foreign Minister.