Johnson, Kosygin begin talks

Glassboro, New Jersey: President Johnson and Soviet Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin talked privately for about two hours in their first meeting during their historic Summit session.

After a face-to-face meeting over a small table with only interpreters with them, the American and Soviet leaders halted for lunch.

There was no immediate announcement of what Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Johnson discussed during their private parley. Earlier, the White House had indicated Mr. Johnson would bring up issues ranging from West Asia to Vietnam and proposals to limit the antiballistic missile race.

A separate meeting was held between the Chief Advisors of the two world leaders, led by Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko.

When the two leaders met, two New Jersey State Police helicopters flew overhead on security patrol, dipping low over the house and adding to the general din.

Once inside the mansion, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kosygin sat near one another in corner armchairs, sipping icewater. In a few moments, they were in a private huddle, while members of their respective staffs met in another room.

Before the President’s party had left Washington, Mr. Rusk had volunteered the information that the composition of the US delegation was keyed to discussion on almost any of the world’s touchy issues. If disarmament came up, Defence Secretary Robert McNamara was on hand, if West Asia came up, National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy.

Mr. Johnson had arrived at the 118-year-old home of the President of Glassboro State College at 20.15 hours IST which was the announced meeting hour.

Mr. Kosygin’s black limousine, preceded by a squadron of red-flashing police cars, drove on to the tree-shaded lawn at 20.50 hours IST.