GREECE, TURKEY AND PERSIA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 140, 25 March 1949, Page 3

GREECE, TURKEY AND PERSIA

U.S. Declares Its “Deep Interest” STATEMENT BY MR DEAN ACHESON (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright) NEW YORK, March 23. The United States to-day declared its “deep interest” in the security and independence of Greece, Turkey, and Persia. The Secretary, of State (Mr Dean Acheson) issued a series of statements emphasising the United States’ interest in, the security of countries in other areas than, the North Atlantic, “particularly the Near and Middle East.” The first statement said: “During the drafting of the North Atlantic Pact we were aware of the possibility that our formal expression of serious interest in the security of countries in the North Atlantic area might he misinterpreted as implying a lessening of our interest in the security of countries in other areas, particularly the iNear and Middle East. “The security of the United States cannot be defined in terms of boundaries and frontiers. A serious threat to international peace and security anywhere throughout the world is of direct concern to this country. Therefore, it is our policy to help free peoples to maintain their integrity and independence, not only in Western Europe or the America, but wherever aid we are able to provide can be effective.” Russia and Persia A second statement concerned Soviet pressure on Persia. It denied in strong language, Soviet charges that the United States was making Persia a base for an attack on the Soviet Union. The statement said that the American Embassy in Teheran had reported Soviet pressure on Persia in the form of persistent newspaper and radio propaganda alleging activities by United States advisers in Persia hostile to the Soviet. Mr Acheson said that such charges were “altogether false and demonstrably untrue.” He said that tne United States military mission in Persia consisted of 40 or 50 officers and men, and it dealt exclusively with advice and training on military administration. It had nothing to do with combat training. The United States had no airfields or bases in Persia and it contemplated none. Sucn charges by the Soviet could rest only on malicious misrepresentation or a fantastic misunderstanding of the nature and aims! of American policy. Mr Acheson Questioned When he was questioned by journalists, Mr Acheson left open the possibility that the United States would regard favourably a Middle East. defence' treaty comparable with the North Atlantic Treaty.' He said that for the moment he had no comment on that possibility. Asked wehther the United States had formally conveyed to the Governments of Greece, Turkey, and Persia the ideas which he had expressed today, Mr Acheson replied: “Not to my knowledge.” The Associated Press says: “It is learned from other sources that such reassurances were expressed by American diplomats in Athens, Ankara, and Teheran when the authorities' in those capitals became alarmed that the United States might be weakening in its concern over their part of the world.

“The Turks especially are said to have been unhappy about the way the Atlantic Pact developed. They wanted to be in it, and failing that they wanted quick work toward the formation of a Middle East alliance which would have some kind of American support. Such a regional arrangement apears now to be a major objective of Turkish foreign policy, although the United States has not. actively encouraged the idea yet. “The Governments of Greece and 'Persia are said by diplomats in Washington to be as deeply concerned as the Turks over some kind of defensive arrangement. “It is understood that in the military aid bill which the State Department is now drafting to back the Atlantic Treaty Congress will he asked to authorise the continuation of aid to Greece, Turkey, and Persia.” American Aid to Turkey The Ankara correspondent of the “New York Times” quotes MajorGeneral Horace Mcßride, chief of the United States Military Mission in Turkey, as saying that the expenditures authorised by the Truman Doctrine for the equipment and training of Turkey’s armed forces are “about the best investment the United States can make for the preservation of world peace.” General Mcßride said that the American experiment in Turkey had already paid dividends. Mechanisation had enabled the Turkish Army to reduce the burden of a large standing army, and to ulloav young men and horses to return to farms.

He praised the qualities of Turkish soldiers, and said that if the country were invaded the Turkish Army would give a good account of itself. The chance of offering effective resistance to aggressors would increase as the present programme made headway under United States guidance.

General Mcßride declared that Turkey considered her existing alliance with Britain insufficient. Hence she looked to the United States for co-operation and assistance. General Mcßride was speaking after the press had reflected what seemed to be widespread disappointment that Turkey had not been included in the North Atlantic Treaty. The Turks say that although Italy is not an Atlantic Power she has received recognition as such, while Turkey, a move dynamic force in one of the foremost threatened areas, is left out.