RUSSIA LOOKS SOUTH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21823, 20 September 1945, Page 5

RUSSIA LOOKS SOUTH

MEDITERRANEAN ASPIRATIONS

TRIPOLI AND DODECANESE YUGOSLAV CLAIMS TO TRIESTE BACKED : ... € NEW ZEALAND ATTITUDE ON CONTROL (Special Correspondent.) (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. The curtain shrouding the proceedings of the Council of Foreign Ministers was jerked sharlply aside when the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, held a press conference at short notice and confirmed the reports cabled to America from London about Russia’s aspirations in the Mediterranean. 5 Ohain-smoking Russian cigarettes, M. Molotov gave a clear hint that his Government wanted a trusteeship over the former Italian colony of Tripolitania and had an interest in the future of Eritrea. He gave general support to the Yugoslav claim to the Julian March area. , As a result of M. Molotov’s remarks, a gloomy view is beingtaken over the proceedings of the council and the difficulties caused by the opening points of view of the Powers. Though M. Molotov’s remarks about Trieste were vague, it is believed that Russia is disposed to support Yugoslavia’s claim to sovereignty over the port. But Britain and America think that Italy should have Trieste under international control. Regarding Italian colonies, America favours a collective trusteeship, but Russia would prefer an individual trusteeship.

i New Problems Raised Russian colonial aspirations in the strategically important areas of Africa raise a new problem. Russia stands firm by what are considered elsewhere to be the puppet Governments of Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary, while the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, has said these Governments are insufficiently representative to warrant diplomatic representation. In the Dodecanese, M. Molotov clearly envisages an apportionment rather than a trusteeship, indicating that Russia wants the Dodecanese evidently for strategic purposes. Greece is also claiming the return of these islands. The question of the Italian colonies, which has been referred to the Foreign Ministers’ deputies for recommendations to be made to the next meeting of the Council was first debated at the Potsdam Conference. This is reported by the diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian who says: “It was somewhat stormily raised in the first days of that meeting under the impression that Mr. Churchill and President Truman had not yet worked out a plan of trusteeship. The question as speedily subsided as i.t had arisen but the Russians have obviously been working on it since and, once again, stake their claim to come out into the Mediterranean as a trustee Power. So there is no “official British’’ reaction to M. Molotov’s remarks. This, it is stated, will be given by Mr Bevin —if he holds a press conference or makes comments in a speech. New Zealand’s Attitude New Zealand’s views on the future Italo-Yugoslav relations and specifically on Trieste were given to the Council late last night by Dr. R. M. Campbell, acting High Commissioner. With

Dr. H. V. Evatt and Mr. Heaton Nich-‘ oils he was present while the Yugoslavs presented their case to the Council in a statement lasting four hours. They were followed by the Italians, who made a shorter statement. The views of the' Dominions were then heard, Dr. Campbell speaking after Dr. Evatt. Mr. Campbell said: “The substance of New Zealand’s comments can only be disclosed by the Government which will, no doubt, do so at a later date ” It is understood that, on instructions from Wellington, his remarks included two points: Firstly, that New Zealand was particularly interested in Trieste since the Dominion’s part in the war, which had started on the first day, had ended at Trieste and, in fact, had it not been for forbearance and commonsense, New Zealanders might all have shared the graveyards of Trieste; secondly, the part taken by New Zealand, not oniy in the Italian campaign but in the campaigns leading up to the invasion of Italy, gave her some claim to state her views.” Dr. Campbell said: “In my official experience, I have never been con. corned with the problem on which instructions and information have been given by the New Zealand Government ■with greater clarity and promptness.”