Soviet Inuits not in attendance at conference

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The Alaska National Board marched in carrying the Soviet flag. A song welcomed the USSR neighbors but there were no Soviet Inuit in attendance when the Inuit Circumpolar Conference opened recently, near the Bering Strait.

Soviet officials had lead organizers to believe that two Inuit would be allowed to make the short trip cross the Strait.

They were to join other Inuit from Alaska, Canada and Greenland for a week of meetings and cultural activities. The Soviet government apparently thought the meetings were too political.