OIL CONCESSIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 4

OIL CONCESSIONS

RUSSIA AND IRAN HITCH IN THE PLANS (11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Oct. 29, “Russian-Iranian relations remain friendly, but Premier Seed’s disloyal attitude to the Soviet Union precludes further co-operation with him,” saio M. Kavtzaradze, Soviet Vice-Com-missar for Foreign Affairs, addressing a Press conference in Teheran. M. Kavtzaradze, referring to the Saed Government’s decision to postpone granting oil concessions until after the war, said. “The Saed Government has not advanced a smgic plausible explanation for its decision. Russia sought drilling rights m several districts in northern Iran ana promised the Saed Government royalties on tonnage output. She also offered to sell oil at a reduced price to the Iran Government for the services and for public and private uses. M. Kavtzaradze did not name the amount proposed for royalties or the terms proposed in the concession He claimed that employment would be provided for thousands of Iranian labourers. He said the Russians were also prepared to prospect lor coal, iron and copper deposits. . M Kavtzaradze said Saed had led him'to believe that the Russian offer would be accepted. He described the postponement of the oil question unti after the war as tantamount, to a refusal. .