RUSSIA’S PLANS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28169, 7 January 1957, Page 7

RUSSIA’S PLANS

Eisenhower’s Charge

(Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 6. President Eisenhower, reviewing the problems of the Middle East in his address to Congress. Mid:—

“Just recently there have been hostilities involving Western European nations that once exercised much influence in the area. Also, the relatively large attack by Israel in October has intensified the basic differences between that nation and its Arab neighbours. All this instability has been heightened and, at times, manipulated by international' communism.

“Russia’s rulers have long sought to dominate the Middle East. That was true of the Tsars and it is true of the Bolsheviks. The reasons are not hard to find. They do not affect Russia’s security. for no-one plans to use the Middle East as a base for aggression against Russia. Never for a moment has the United States entertained such a thought. “The Soviet Union has nothing whatsoever to fear from the United States in the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world, so long as its rulers do not themselves first resort to aggression. That statement I make solemnly and emphatically. “Neither does Russia’s desire to dominate the Middle East spring from its own economic interest in the area. Russia does not appreciably use or depend upon the Suez Canal. In 1955 Soviet traffic through the canal represented only about three-fourths of 1 per cent, of the total The Soviets have no need for, and could provide no market for, the petroleum resources which constitute the principle natural wealth of the area. Indeed, the Soviet Union is a substantial exporter of petroleum products. “The reason for Russia’s interest in the Middle East is solely that of power politics. Considering her announced purpose of communising the world, it is easy to understand her hope of dominating the Middle East. “If the nations of that area should lose their independence, if they were dominated by alien forces hostile to freedom, that would be both a tragedy for the area and for many other free nations, whose economic life would be subject to near strangulation.”

Shipping Freights.—The Graziers’ Federal Council and the Australian Woolgrowers’ Council have decided to “refuse to accept” the proposed increases in shipping freights to Britain and Europe.— Sydney, January 5.