DISCOURTESY DENIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 5

DISCOURTESY DENIED

SOVIET DIPLOMAT MISSED PLANE TRIP BRITISH EXPLANATION fßi-itish Oflicinl Wireless.) Reed. 9.30 a.m. RUGBY. Nov. 27. Replying to a question in the House of Commons concerning the unfortunate misunderstanding which resulted in the Soviet Ambassador to the United States, M. Litvinov, being held up at Teheran, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, stated that the counsellor to the British Legation at Teheran was present at the aerodrome at the time of the departure of the British Overseas Airways Corporation aeroplane by which M. Litvinov and his party were due to depart and in which the counsellor himself had a seat.

Owing, however, to an unfortunate misunderstanding the counsellor was informed that M. Litvinov had left by a Royal Air Force machine the previous day as originally arranged. The Airways Corporation plane left with its full complement of passengers a little ahead of schedule and M. Litvinov did not arrive at the aerodrome until after its departure. The question of resigning seats did not therefore arise.

Any suggestion that ivi. Litvinov was refused a place in the plane or that he, in any way, was discourteously treated by any official," either of the Legation or British Overseas Airways Corporation was quite devoid of foundation.

“I have expressed to M. Litvinov my own deep personal regrets, lor which I accept full responsibility,” added Mr. Eden.

In regard to a further question concerning co-operation between British and Soviet officials in Teheran, Mr. Eden said that co-operation was and is most satisfactory, and the British Minister was in close consultation with the Soivet Ambassador on all matters involving Allied policy in Persia.

A report from Calcutta says that M. Litvinov has resumed his journey to the United States.