GREECE, TURKEY, AND PERSIA

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26118, 22 May 1950, Page 7

GREECE, TURKEY, AND PERSIA

Western Concern For Security BRITISH AND U.S. STATEMENTS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 19. Britain and the United States, in official statements which are interpreted as a warning to Russia, to-day reaffirmed their interest in. the independence, integrity, and security of Greece, Turkey, and Persia. The statements were issued by the British‘Foreign Secretary (Mr Ernest Bevin) and the United States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Acheson) after their Atlantic Pact talks in London. According to Reuter, diplomatic quarters considered the two declarations to be a co-ordinated, carefully considered act of policy, designed to warn Russia against any renewal of pressure in the Middle East. The statements were issued, it was felt, to make it clear both to th? Greek, Persian, and Turkish Governments. and to the Soviet Union, that the development of the Atlantic community did not imply any sort of “Atlantic isolationism.” Mr Bevin, after referring to “gratifying” economic developments in Greece, Turkey, and Persia, said: “His Majesty’s Government is determined to continue its policy of direct support to these and to other countries which are striving, through military and economic efforts, to safeguard their independence and territorial integrity.” Mi’ Bevin said that the recent London discussions had included a reexamination of the position of certain countries not represented on the North Atlantic Treaty Council—notably Greece. Turkey, and Persia—the security of which was ‘.‘a matter of special concern.” Mi- Bevin reaffirmed that the British Government remained “vitallv concerned in the independence, integrity. and security of Greece. Turkey and Persia.” He was convinced that the strengthening of the North Atlantic Treaty would be conducive to that end. he added. Mr Acheson’s Statement Mr Acheson, before leaving Britain for the United States, said that America continued to be vitally concerned with the security of areas outside the North Atlantic community, especially Greece. Turkey, and Persia. Mr Acheson said: “I wish to reaffirm the deep interest of the United States Government in the security of Greece. Turkey, and Persia, and our determination to continue our policy of supporting these and other countries which are striving, through military and economic efforts, to safeguard their independence and territorial integrity.” Mr Acheson said he was returning to the United States with the feeling that the free nations of the West were making progress along the road leading towards the universal goal of peace. He was encouraged by the progress made in the North AtlantuTreaty Council, and by the last 10 days. “The recent meeting has shown that there is no issue of concern to the free nations of the world which cannot be frankly discussed, and on which broad agreement cannot be reached.” Mr Acheson said. “We are going forward with the job of creaf ing conditions of security and of increasing the economic and social wellbeing of the world. “I have used this occasion to inform othex- Governments that the Unted States has a continuing interest and stake in European affairs—an in terest which will not end with the termination of the European Recovery Programme in 1952.” Mi- Acheson added that the United States and Canada had stated then readiness to participate in what ne expected would be the development of co-operation between the two countries of North America and the countries of Europe.