Persia Protests ‘Soviet Aggression'

Northern Advocate, 4 March 1946, Page 5

Persia Protests ‘Soviet Aggression '

(Received 1 p.m.)

TEHERAN, March 3

DEPUTIES of the Persian Parliament rose to their feet and cheered when Dr Mohamed Mossadegh, whom Associated Press describes as unofficial whip, declared that the nation would protest against Russian violation of the Tripartite Treaty and demanded the Government notify the Security Council of “Soviet aggression.”

Dr Mossadegh added that ' their word. He had received in troops were still in the Semnan, i they had announced their intent REMAIN IN SOME AREAS Russian troops had earlier received orders to begin their evacuation of Persia, stated an announcement from Teheran.

;he Russians had openly broken formation that day that Russian Vfeshed and Shadrud areas which 'on of evacuating.

Moscow radio says the announcement means that the Russians will remain in northern and north-western Persia, including the troubled Azerbaijan area. The Persian Under-Secretary of Stale (Prince Firouz), who is also director of propaganda, described the Russian decision to remain in parts of Persia as “a friendly gesture to the Qavam es-Sultaneh administration.’’ He said there was no representative of the Central Government in Azerbaijan to accept the return of buildings and installations from the Russians, who could not turn over these properties to the Azerbaijan Government without recognising that Government. Therefore, they were remaining there until the problem, which was purely an internal one. was settled.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says the Russian decision is officially regarded in London as a flat violation of the Russian obligations under the British-Russian-Persian Treaty of Alliance of 1942. No reliable estimate of the strength of the Red Army in Persia is available, but it is believed to be 70,000. which is higher than any figure reached by the British and American contingents. BRITISH RESENTMENT The British Foreign Office does not disguise the seriousness with which the Russian action in maintaining troops in certain parts of Persia is regarded, says “The Times" diplomatic correspondent. It is confirmed that the British and American Governments are closely consulting on the matter.

The correspondent points out that the first intimation of the Russian decision reached the Government through the newspapers. There is natural resentment in London that the British representatives in Moscow and Teheran were not notified and not consulted.

One of the first matters to be discussed at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting will be Russia's notion. Early diplomatic action will be taken to convey the British Government’s view to Russia.