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KLAUS MEHNERT, 67, author, jour–
nalist, radio commentator and educa–
tor, is recognized as the foremost
expert on Soviet and Chinese affairs
today. Born in Moscow of German
parents, Dr. Mehnert has lived and
traveled in both Russia and China for
many years and speaks both lan–
guages. He has observad the two
communi st giants for nearl y half a
century and is the author of numer–
ous books about them, including
" Soviet Man and His World" (1960) ,
" Peking and Moscow" (1963) , and
" China Returns" (1971 ). Dr. Meh–
nert has held professorships of mod–
ern history and political science at
several American, Chinese and Euro–
pean universities and is currently
teaching for two semesters at Colum–
bia University in New York.
AN INSIDE LOOK
AT WORLD POWER CHANGES
A CONVERSATION WITH KLAUS MEHNERT
Ploin Truth
The world is presently ex–
periencing a time of détente.
Concerned world leaders are
traveling more than ever be–
fare. Summit talks abound.
The present state of " non–
war" in the world is based
heavily on the personalities
and views of men at the top of
five great power centers - the
United States, the Soviet
Union, Japan, China and
Western Europe. The shape
that the world wi/1 take after
the present world leaders de–
part from office is the big ques–
tion. New faces could bring
surprising changes.
Recently, PLAIN TRUTH staff
members visited with noted
world affairs expert Dr. Klaus
Mehnert and discussed with
him the changing relationships
among the world's great pow–
ers today.
Q
UESTION -
PLAIN TRUTH:
Numerous political analysts
say that President Nixon and
bis chief foreign policy adviser, Dr.
Kissinger, are attempting to re–
create a classical balance of power
situation.
In
it, the Uoited States
would apparently play the role of
the "balancer." Is tbis possible in
tbis day aod age?
ANSWER -
MEHNERT:
In tbe clas–
sical concept of tbe balance of
power, England, sitting on its island,
watcbed tbe two main camps
in
Eu–
rope. England decided wbich one to
support, often the weaker one
against the stronger one, to restore
again tbe balance of power so that
tbe continental European powers
could neutralize themselves.
Today, if you takd only tbe Soviet
Union and China, plus tbe United
States, you have a similar situation.
The United States is in the position
of Great Britain, watching the Chi–
nese and the Russians neutralizing
themselves through their hostility.
The U. S. tbus plays a kind of bal–
ance of power game. 1 think to tbat
extent you can compare it. But
it
will only last as long as Peking and
Moscow are hostile to eacb other.
Q.
But if tbe Soviets and Cbinese
bury the batchet ...?
A.
Once they should improve their
relations, tben tbe special position
tbat tbe United States now has will
disappear. At tbe moment , tbe
U.S.A. has good relations with
China and good relations with the
Soviet Union, while tbe Soviet
Union and China have no good re–
lations. That puts Washington in the
driver's seat, so to speak. This will
not necessarily remain forever.
Q.
After World War 11, tbe Rus-
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