ABSTRACT
Delegation exchanges have always been favored by the Soviets over individual exchanges. The delegation represents what the Russians call a kollektiv, which is a Russian as well as a Soviet tradition, and is opposed to the Western emphasis on the individual. Delegations were exchanged in all fields covered by the cultural agreement, from science and technology to culture and education. The Soviets sought exchanges between their Supreme Soviet and the US Congress in 1958 in the first cultural agreement, but the US negotiators—and presumably the Congress—were hesitant, and it was agreed only to continue the discussions. Young American political leaders have shown no hesitation in engaging the Soviets in exchanges. There are many other exchanges which don’t make the headines. One is the International Visitor Program which brings Soviet professionals to the United States for visits up to thirty days in length.
