ABSTRACT
The circumstances in which Sir Harold Wilson became president of the Great Britain—Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)Association, along with Fitzroy Maclean’s adverse reaction to being designated Past President. Wilson’s inaugural visit to the USSR under association auspices had been postponed due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan at Christmas 1979. The wreath-laying outside the Kremlin wall is impressive and Harold plays his part beautifully, touching the flowers in the wreath with affecting tenderness. George Orwell’s year 1984 also marked the quarter-centenary of the association. Wilson was always supportive of Israel, whereas Yevgeny Primakov’s interests, expertise and sympathies were and remain with the Arabs. At the end of the meal Wilson stood up and invited the distinguished company to rise and drink to the health of the Queen. He then invited everybody to remain standing and drink ‘to the health of the Chairman of the Praesidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics’.
