Some envoys to shun Red Square parade

Several Western ambassadors in Moscow, will stay away from the May Day parade today (May 1) on Red Square to show their government's displeasure over Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, diplomatic sources said Wednesday. Ambassadors from Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Australia will participate in the "informal boycott" and send lower-level diplomats in their places. US Charge d'Affaires Mark Garrison, filling in for US Ambassador Thomas Watson, who is in Washington, also will not attend.

The parade is largely a civilian affair, with massive floats depicting Soviet economic achievements and attacking Western "imperialists."