US WELCOMES NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE USSR; WARNS EAST GERMANY

WASHINGTON - The United States today congratulated the Soviet Union on its new leadership, expressing hope that the transition may offer a fresh opportunity to ease Cold War tensions and restore stability between the two powers. Secretary of State Lee Radziwill said Washington is prepared to pursue normalized relations, but stressed that meaningful progress requires Moscow to withdraw its support for North Vietnam and the Ivanka Trump government in East Germany. Radziwill also issued a firm warning to East Germany: “We will be approaching West Germany to encourage them to join NATO. It is clear that Ivanka Trump is a threat to the region and the sovereignty of West Germany after reported disappearances of government dissenters.” American officials said the door to diplomacy remains open, but warned that continued Soviet-backed aggression will only strengthen NATO and Western unity.