INCIDENT IN PERSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 29 November 1945, Page 5

INCIDENT IN PERSIA

ACTION BY RED ARMY TROOPS BRITISH GOVERNMENT DISTURBED NOTE SENT TO MR MOLOTOV London, Nov. 27. The text of the letter sent to Mr Molotov, Soviet Foreign Commissar, by Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, British Ambassador to Moscow, concerning the Red Army’s action in stopping Persian forces going to Azerbaijan to quell an uprising, stated that the British Government was disturbed to learn of the incidents. The letter adds: “It seems to my Government entirely reasonable that the Persian Government should wish to maintain order in their own territory and legitimate that they should move security forces about their own country in order to do so. The Governments of the Soviet Union and th e United Kingdom under Article 1 of the Treaty of Alliance between the Soviet Union, th e United Kingdom and Persia of January 29th, 1942, are pledged to respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Persia and Article 4 lays down that th e presence of Allied forces on Persian territory does not constitute military occupation and will disturb as little as possible the administration and security forces oi Persia. “Moreover, in three-Power declaration concerning Persia of December Ist, 1943, the Governments of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States expressed a desire for the maintenance of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Persia. My Government therefore feels that the action of Soviet military authorities in stopping Persian forces en route to Azerbaijan must be due to some misunderstanding of th e position and trust the Soviet Government will feel able to instruct its commander not to obstruct movements of Persian forces or interfere with the Persian Government in the exercise of their sovereign right of maintaining order in their own territory.” GRAVE CHARGES PERSIA SENDS NOTES TO MOSCOW London, Nov, 27. Persia has made grave charges against the Russian Government in two Notes to Moscow, says the “Evening News” diplomatic correspondent. The first Note alleged that Russian troops remain in Teheran contrary to the Potsdam decision and Russian personnel travel in civilian clothes in Army lorries protected by •Russian troops who prevent their examination by Persian security forces. The second Note accused Russia of permitting agitators to enter Persian Azerbaijan to foment revolt and of preventing Persian gendarmerie and other security forces from dealing with troubles. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent understands that the Kremlin has made it clear to the Persian Government, that Russia regards with considerable sympathy the demands of the so-, called National Congress of Azerbaijan. “Izvestia” to-day devoted considerably more space to the Azerbaijan demand for autonomy than the Nuremberg trial. A message from Teheran states that Azerbaijan Nationalists are reported to have occupied Zenjan railway station, cutting off all communications between Teheran and the north. Patriotic youth groups are seeking the Shah’s premission to form a national guard to defend Azerbaijan against the rebels. ADVANCE OF INSURGENTS RAIL TOWN OCCUPIED Teheran, Nov. 28. It is announced that the rail town of Zenjan, midway between Teheran and Tabriz, has been completely occupied by insurgents from Azerbaijan. The insurgents are marching on Kazvin, the next important centre 85 miles northwest of Teheran, and have already occupied Takistan, 9 miles south-west of Kamsain, and also captured the Caspian Sea port of Astara, on the Russian border. A fresh contingent of Persian troops has arrived in Teheran from Shiraz.