PERSIA RECEIVES “STIFF BILL”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21963, 6 March 1946, Page 5

PERSIA RECEIVES “STIFF BILL”

TALKS IN MOSCOW POSSIBLE TERMS RED ARMY SHARP LONDON COMMENT (10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 5. The Times’ diplomatic correspondent says the protest by the Persian Prime Minister, M. Sultaneh, about the retention of Russian troops in Persia shows that he has been given no hope of an early withdrawal, even if an agreement were reached on other terms for a settlement. It is not known for certain what those other terms are, but it must be expected that the Russian Government is pressing her former demands, namely, the acknowledgment of full autonomy for Azerbaijan and oil concessions for themselves.

The correspondent adds that all reports agree that M. Sultaneh has been presented with a stiff bill. The Daily Mail, in a leader under the heading, “Showdown Needed,” declares that Russia, in keeping troops in Persia, has deliberately broken her agreement with Britain and Persia. -For that there can be no excuse.” says the Daily Mail. “Some light is thrown on the meaning of evasion by the report of the Russian demands handed to M. Sultaneh, which would not only make Aberbaijan virtually a Soviet republic. but undermine the independence of Persia itself.

“That is an ominous feature of this latest example of Power politics,” adds the paper. “Russian policy in Persia is dictated by strategic considerations and the search for oil. If Persia gives in the vital interests of the British Empire will be affected.” “Sooner the Better” The article adds: “The purpose of the United Nations has been violated by Russia, whose methods depressingly resemble Hitler’s. It is nineteenth century Imperialism with a twentieth century technique. If Russia gets her way in Persia whose turn will be next —Turkey’s or Libya? “To put it bluntly there must be a showdown. The sooner it comes the better. Canada set a good example in disclosing the leakage of secrets through the Russian Embassy.”

A Moscow report says that M. Sultaneh was preparing last night to return to Persia after his talks with Generalissimo Stalin. The official spokesman of the Persian delegation said they had not negotiated on the question of Russian troops in Persia, but had listened to proposals. He described the talks as “quite friendly but ' difficult.” The United States Secretary of State, Mr. J. Byrnes, said the State Department had not yet recived the Persian Note of protest. The British Government has instructed the Charge d’Affaires in Moscow, Mr. Frank Roberts, to make inquiries with the Russian Government regarding the situation arising from the reports that Russia does not intend withdrawing Red Army troops from parts of Persia.

Britain so far has received no nfiicial information from Russia about ihe decision not to withdraw her troops. There have been exchanges all the week-end between Britain and America on the matter. Official Persian resource- in London stated .that the Persian Prime Minister, M. Sultaneh, made an official protest to Russia when he was informed of Russia’s intention to maintain troops in parts of Persia. It is not indicated at what stage of the negotiations the protest was lodged. No News of Soviet Moves No details of the Russian terms offered to Persia are obtainable from Persian sources in London, who arc unable to confirm or deny the reports of demands made by Russia during M. Sultanch’s visit. Reuter’s correspondent in Teheran quotes a Persian Cabinet member as saying that the Cabinet met twice today to discuss Russia’s failure to withdraw her troops, but reached no decision owing to the lack of official information. since M. Sultaneh went to Moscow. The Cabinet is entirely dependent on the press and radio for its information. Four persons were injured in a clash outside the Persian Parliament buildings to-day, when 3000 members of the proSoviet Tudeh Party demonstrated against prolonging the life of the present Parliament. The Parliamentary sitting was postponed as a result of the demonstrations. The Tudeh Party supporters claimed that the elections should be held on March 12, irrespective of whether foreign troops had completed the evacuation. Right Wing Persians urged that the elections could not legally be held while foreign troops were in the country. In the House of Commons to-day, when asked whether British and Russian troops were withdrawn from Persia by March 2, the Minister of State. Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker, said that all British troops were withdrawn by the period fixed for their removal after the end of hostilities with Germany and her allies. He had no knowledge of the withdrawal of Soviet troops except the information from Moscow appearing in the press, according to which they had not been withdrawn.

The British Attache had been asked to request the Soviet Government to state the exact position. Replying to Mr. Anthony Eden, who asked if the House could be kept informed on this important matter, Mr. Noel-Baker answered affirmatively.

Replying to another questioner. Mr. Noel-Baker said the Government had not pursued Mr. Ernest Bevin’s suggestion to Generalissimo Stalin that the treaty of friendship should be extended to 50 years. “Russians Have Defaulted” In Washington to-day, the Persian Ambassador, Hussein Ala, after conferring with the Secretary of State, Mr. James Byrnes, told press representatives that he had requested the United States to join Britain in asking Russia to explain why her troops remain in Persia, contrary to the treaty obligations. Hussein Ala pointed out that the United States had signed the 1943 declaration of Teheran in which the ■Big Three affirmed Persia’s sovereignty and independence. Hussein Ala said that Persia considered Russia’s pledge to evacuate by March 2 was unconditional, and declared: “The Russians’ have defaulted.”