Mr Reid: Councillor Petrov, please.
Secretary: Mr Petrov is on the phone.
Mr Petrov: Hello, Mr Reid. I am glad you called me.
Mr Reid: How are you, Mr Petrov? I hope you are not too busy with the preparations for this forthcoming conference of ours?
Mr Petrov: I am fine, thank you. I have an appointment with you, you remember, to discuss the draft resolution of the conference.
Mr Reid: Of course, I do. It is this Friday, at 3 p.m. Did the Chairman of the Committee send you the draft?
Mr Petrov: Yes, he did, and his personal letter, too. He’s insisting on discussing the draft resolution by a narrow circle of diplomats first. I don’t know what he means mentioning “a narrow circle of diplomats”.
Mr Reid: Our delegation also received his personal letter, and, as a matter of fact, it surprised us a little. I wish he would tell us more explicitly what this “narrow circle of diplomats” will be dealing with.
Mr Petrov: You don’t mind, Mr Reid, if we discuss this problem along with the other questions this Friday, do you?
Mr Reid: No, I don’t. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. Good-bye.
Mr Petrov: Good-bye, Mr Reid.
3. Going on Business Abroad
Mr Jones: Hello, Mr Sedov. What have you been up to since I saw you last?
Mr Sedov: Not much, I am afraid, Mr Jones. Just the usual routine work here in the Department of Technical Assistance. And how are you?
Mr Jones: I’m fine, thank you. I’ve heard from Sergeev that you are going to leave for Yugoslavia soon. Is that right?
Mr Sedov: Yes, it is. A group of engineers and technical advisers from the Department is supposed to visit that country.
Mr Jones: On any particular mission?
Mr Sedov: Yes, the Yugoslavs invited us to help them with the construction of modern highways.
Mr Jones: Then they may be in need of the great cranes and bulldozers our firm is producing.
Mr Sedov: Most probably. You should get in touch with the Assistant Director of the Department, and ask him for information and advice, Mr Jones.
Mr Jones: What’s his name?
Mr Sedov: Mr Souram of India.
Mr Jones: Do you have his telephone number?
Mr Sedov: Jot it down — 377-01-09.
Mr Jones: Thank you. When are you leaving for Yugoslavia?
Mr Sedov: Next Monday. You’d better get in touch with Mr Souram as soon as possible
4. Talking of Colleagues
Fred: Hello, Yuri. This is Fred.
Yuri: Hello, Fred. How are you?
Fred: Very busy. We’ve got a lot of work here with the documents.
Yuri: I know. It’s the usual thing with the Documents Office before the Assembly.
