Moscow angered

Press, 30 December 1980, Page 6

Moscow angered

. NZPA-Reuter Moscow The Soviet Union has protested to Iran about the demonstration by about 5000 Afghans at the Soviet Embassy in Teheran at the week-end and accused Iranian authorities of failing to take adequate measures to protect the embassy. A note delivered to the Iranian Embassy in Moscow described the demonstration as a “bandit attack” but made no mention of the fact that Afghans were responsible.

“The Iranian authorities had been informed well in advance of preparations for an attack on the embassy. “But despite this they did not take urgent and effective enough measures to prevent such an attack,” the Note said. This appeared to be a reference to a Soviet call on the Iranian authorities last July for tighter protection for its Teheran Embassy. The Note said that “raging elements armed with clubs and stones and knives broke into the embassy, violating its diplomatic status.” “It was only after numerous and insistent demands by the Soviet ambassador tiat the Iranian authorities intervened and took measures to remove, the attackers from the ' .itory of the embassy,” t’. t Note added. Further indicating ..that Moscow held Teheran.'; responsible for the incident, the Note stated: “The. Soviet Union reserves the right to ... consider the question of appropriate measures, to pro-, tect the lawful interests of the Soviet Union in connection with the hostile actions of the Iranian side against the U.S.S.R. Embassy in Teheran.” The Soviet Government called on Iran to take appropriate measures to’ prevent repetition 'of the incident and said it' reserved the right, to claim compensation f r the damage.