Persia Asks For Dispute With Russia Be Pressed

Northern Advocate, 30 March 1946, Page 5

Persia Asks For Dispute With Russia Be Pressed

(Received 12.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 29.

THE United Nations Security Council has arranged another secret meeting prior to a public session this afternoon, reportedly to perfect plans for a direct request to Moscow and Teheran tor information on the Persian situation.

The meeting was informal and, according to Reuters, was merely a “get together” talk.

SEEKS ASSURANCE

No Soviet representative attended the public sessions when met later in the day.

ing from Persia not satisfactory to the Persian Government?

Hussein Ala (Persia) was called to the tabic. Immediately he took his seat he said : "I have instructions from my Government to take such action as T think necessary to saleguard the country’s security."

(2) What are the negotiations now under way between Russia and Persia?

(4) Is the removal of the Red Army conditional upon these negotiations?

He declared that Russia should give an unconditional assurance that her troops would be evacuated from all Persia within a brief fixed period.

It is understood that the American delegate (Mr Byrnes) is in favour of asking these questions and that he has substantial support. AREA OF AGREEMENT

“I have no information, official or otherwise, that Russian troops have crossed the border into Russia," he said. “Discussion on the dispute must not be postponed because nothing has been settled by negotiation. It is important that assurances of evacuation should be clarified without delay.

After its closed meeting, the Security Council today issued the following communique:

“Members of the Security Council held an executive meeting to discuss informally further procedure to be followed by the council in dealing with Persia's appeal. <

“The Prime Minister (Qavam es-Sul-taneh) has instructed me to bring this case and to be free of any foreign Government’s pressure.” NEW SOVIET DEMANDS M. Ala said that during the Moscow talks Russia not only did not accept Persia’s viewpoint but presented new demands to M. Sultaneh. The demands included oil concessions, permanent stationing of Russian troops in certain Persian areas and independence of Azerbaijan Province.

“Various alternative suggestions for further procedure were considered and, as a result of the discussion, a considerable area of agreement was found.

“Representatives of all members of the council except the Soviet Union attended the meeting. The council will hold a public meeting at 3 p.m. tomorrow."

The Soviet delegate (M. Gromyko) told reporters that he did not know whether he would attend tomorrow s council meeting.

The Persians held out despite the fact that they were lavishly entertained and treated to vodka and caviare.

M. Gromyko left the Russian Con-sulate-General by car today, about the time the Security Council was due to start, saying he was en route to the meeting. Reporters who followed him

Mr Byrnes suggested that the Sec-retary-General of UNO <M. Lie) find out whether the Russian withdrawal

was unconditional, and report later to the council.

say that, after circling the office where the meeting was to be held, he instructed the driver to return to the Consulate.

Sir Alexander Cadogan (Britain) and M. Lange (Poland) supported Mr Byrnes, and the Mexican, French and Netherlands delegates were also in favour of the council being adjourned until April 3. The Associated Press correspondent interpreted the proposal as an elfort to force a showdown with Russia on how long and to what extent she was denying the council information it wanted. IN ABSENCE OF RUSSIA The Associated Press says it learns authoritatively that the Security Council at its closed meeting today decided to proceed with the Persian case without the presence of Russia

The council may also ask for a report from Moscow and Teheran on the following three major questions:— < l! Why are the Russians’ assurances that their troops are withdraw-

The diplomatic correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph * says the British delegate (Sir Alexander Cadogan) has been instructed to press for continued discussion of the Persian case, even if M. Gromyko remains absent.