SOVIET FORCES IN PERSIA

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24741, 5 December 1945, Page 7

SOVIET FORCES IN PERSIA

REPLY TO ALLIED REQUESTS

REPORTED REFUSAL TO WITHDRAW TROOPS

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 3. While Russia holds about 30,000 men m northern Persia, the Persian Government wanted to add only 1000 to its garrison of 6000.

London diplomatic correspondents, quoting official circles to-night, all concentrate on this point in commenting on the reported contents of the Russian Note in reply to British and American representations about the withdrawal of Russian forces from Persia. The Russian reply is in the hands of the British and United States Governments, but is not yet being made public. The correspondents agree that the substance of the reply is that the arrival of more Persian troops would make necessary an increase in the Russian garrison. Russia is reported to maintain the necessity of keeping the terms of the 1942 treaty, by which troops will not be withdrawn until March 2, 1946. The full text of the reply may not be made known for some time, but a diplomatic correspondent says it is understood that the reply emphasises Russian respect for Persian independence in accordance with the Tripartite Treaty. The “Daily Telegraph" says the Russian attitude to the Persian Government’s representations about reinforcement of the Persian garrison at Azerbaijan is that gendarmerie would be sufficient to maintain order if they did not occupy themselves in terrorism of the local population and in provoking incidents. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press says that Russia has rejected the United States’ suggestion that all Allied troops should be withdrawn from Persia by January 1, 1946. It is stated in Moscow that the United States has resolved to withdraw its troops by the end of the year, irrespective of any British or Russian action.