LEFT ALONE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 68, 31 December 1945, Page 3

LEFT ALONE

BRITISH FORCES IN PERSIA UNEASINESS IN LONDON NO HEARING IN MOSCOW (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright.) (Rec. 9.80 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 29. Uneasiness in London over the Persian situation is increased by the fact that no Persian representatives were allowed to appear before the Foreign Ministers’ conference at Moscow to state their case, says the diplomatic correspondent of the ‘‘Observer.”

The treaty of 1942 gave Russia the right to be heard when her affairs were being discussed by the Big Three Powers. The Persian Premier and Foreign Minister were on the point of leaving for Moscow when the conference was called. It is known that Mr Ernest Bevin hoped they would be given a hearing, but they were not given facilities to make the journey from Teheran to Moscow.

Since almost all the American forces have been withdrawn from Persia, Britain is virtually left alone to face the prospect of the breaking away of one or more part of the Persian State. A further disquieting factor is that the extent of the Russian aim in this region is not known. The Russians openly supported the Tudeh Party, which was recently demanding autonomy for certain parts of Persia —notably Azerbaijan—but before last August is urged the incorporation of Northern Persia in the U.S.S.R.

Position In Turkey

Turkey’s position is different in that in that the war of nerves has served neither to weaken the Central Government nor create an autonomous movement in the Kars and Arhahn areas, which Russia is seeking to regain. The Russian claims seem to have consolidated the Turkish people more closely behind the Government. There is no suggestion in London that Russia would forcibly seize the disputed territories, but the question is asked how far would Russia go by indirect means to achieve her goal if the Turks persist in- their refusal to cede any territory?

Deep dejection and disappointment are the first reactions of Persia to the Foreign Ministers’ communique from Moscow, says the Teheran correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” The fate of the Hakami Cabinet is precarious and there is talk of an early change of Government. The Cabinet continues to be assailed both by proRussian Tudeh (Masses) Party and by appeasers largely recruited from absentee landlords. The situation in the Teheran area remains superficially calm, but the number of orange sellers and vagraiits in Teheran remains high, the majority of whom unquestionably include spies and gunmen whose task would be to join in a coup, if the occasion arose.