EVENTS IN RUMANIA

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 61, 10 September 1945, Page 5

EVENTS IN RUMANIA

"ISVESTIA" ATTACKS ALLIES

LONDON, September 8. Moscow "Isvestia," in a leading article, accuses the British and American representatives of applying pressure on King Michael of Rumania which induced him to ask Britain and America to aid in forming: a new Government. "The Russian standpoint is clear," the paper says. "It is based firmly on the principle of not permitting interference in the internal affairs of Rumania, which is a sovereign State." "Isvestia's" accusation followed a dinner at the Kremlin last night at which Generalissimo Stalin entertained the visiting Rumanian Prime Minister, Mr. Peter Groza. A communique subsequently issued stated that the dinner was held "in a friendly atmosphere." "Isvestia" added that the British and American actions in Bucharest were taken without the knowledge of or consultation with the Russian members of the Allied Control Commission. "If this can be called fulfilling the agreement in co-ordinating the Allied policies, what then can be called rnesided. unilateral activity violating thp harmony of the Allied Powers?" it a^ks STORY DENIED. Official quarters in London categoric- J ally deny "Izvestia's" allegations, says Reuters diplomatic correspondent. They state that Britain did not take the initiative in the matter, and cdnsequently any suggestion that British officials contravened the control com- j mission's established procedure fell to the ground. It is officially stated, on the matter of consultation between the British and Russian representatives in Rumania, that the British attitude of disapproval was made clear as long ago as last March, when the Groza Government assumed office during the visit to Bucharest by the Soviet Deputy Foreign Commissar, Mr. Vyshinsky. On the broader issue of interference in the affairs of sovereign States, British observers are puzzled to see how the Russian attitude squares with the provision of the Yalta Agreement, which says: "The three Governments will jointly assist the people of any European liberated State or former Axis satellite where, in their judgment, conditions require, to form interim [governmental authorities broadly representative of all democratic elements In the population."

It is generally regretted in London that "Izvestia" should have chosen to publish such an intransigent version of the case on the eve of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, at