SITUATION IN IRAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21899, 18 December 1945, Page 3

SITUATION IN IRAN

HIGH ON AGENDA

“DEMOCRATS’ ” SEIZURE

40 TOWNS ROUND TABRIZ

LONDON, Dec. 16

Just as Mr. Ernest Bcvin, Mr. James Br.ynes and M. Molotov sat down tor the first conference in Spcridonovka, the news was flashed from Persia of the Azerbaijan “democrats' ” seizure of 40 more towns around Tabriz, says the Daily Mail’s correspondent in Moscow. The Russian newspapers to-day carried lengthy reports concerning Hie establishment of a new Azerbaijan Provincial Parliament and an article in the Pravda reviewed the disposition of foreign troops in Persia, particularly British and American. The correspondent adds: “This suggests that Persia must be high on the conference agenda, the preparation of which was discussed this afternoon. Mr. Bevin and Mr. Byrnes earlier warned correspondents that there would be little news while the talks were in progress.” The correspondent adds: “There is no suggestion that Generalissimo Stalin is returning to Moscow to be on hand. Pie is still at Sochi in the Caucasus.” M. Molotov, Mr. Bcvin and Mr. Byrnes met for the first time this afternoon, says the Exchange Telegraph correspondent in Moscow. The business in Moscow was mainly preparatory. Mr. Bevin earlier conferred with the Ambassador, Sir Reader Bullard from Teheran on the latest developments in Persia.