Change of Heart?

In Moscow last August, Vice President Richard Nixon went on record as approving a trip to the U.S. by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. "On balance, I believe that at some time Mr. Khrushchev should be invited to the United States," Nixon told a press conference. "I think on such a visit, clearly apart from the discussions he would have with the President on an official basis, the visit would serve other useful purposes. He would have a chance to see firsthand the United States." Nixon was already aware that such a visit was in the works: before he left for the Soviet Union, President Eisenhower told him so.

Last week in Chicago, Arizona's Senator Barry Goldwater, a close friend of Nixon's, told a different story. Addressing a convention of We the People, a conservative citizens' organization, Goldwater said: "Let me tell you, Nixon is a conservative. He was as shocked as you were at the invitation to Khrushchev to come to this country." Later, answering a question from the audience, Goldwater elaborated: "I can only relate what the Vice President said to me. He said he was greatly surprised. He had no knowledge of the invitation. He was surprised and disappointed the invitation had been made."

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