SOVIET NOTE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 46, 4 December 1945, Page 3

SOVIET NOTE

PERSIA FORWARDS REPLY FREEDOM OF ACTION SOUGHT (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright.) (Rec. 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 3. The Persian reply to the Soviet Note requests Russia to inform Persia as soon as possible what steps are being taken to ensure freedom of action for Persian oificials in Northern Persia, says Reuter’s Teheran correspondent.

The reply, which was couched in extremely conciliatory terms, also asks for transit for Persian forces, particularly the body pi troops which the Russians held' up at Harifabad. The Note expresses Persia’s delight at Russian assurances of nonintervention in the internal affairs in Persia, and adds: “ The Persian Government hopes during the evacuation from Persia within the shortest possible time that there there will be no further unpleasant steps taken by the Russian authorities to mar the unshakeable friendship between Russia cind Persia.” * The Note contradicts the Russian statement that an increase of Persian forces in the north would be a matter for suspicion and adds that the forces would not be used againstjthe people, but for the prevention of disorder and aggression, enabling the Government to pacify the provinces and meet legitimate' Azerbaijan grievances. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press says that Russia has replied to the British Note on Persia and rejected the United' States suggestion that Allied troops should withdraw from the country by November 1, 1945. It is stated in Moscow that the United States resolved to withdraw troops by the end of the year, irrespective of British or Russian action.