Iran last week celebrated Siezdahbedar, the 13th day of the Persian New Year, when evil spirits descend upon the cities and city dwellers flee to the countryside to have a picnic lunch beside a running stream. Thus there were no cheering crowds when Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin came to Teheran for a week-long state visit. But no difference: Kosygin was more than welcome. After years of nearly total dependence on the West, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi is turning his country increasingly toward Russia, his once hostile northern neighbor, seeking friendship, trade and backing for his ambitious...
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