THE MIDDLE EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 24 December 1945, Page 5

THE MIDDLE EAST

OUTSTANDING ISSUES AT MOSCOW PERSIA AND TURKEY (Rec. 1 1.20 a.m.) London, Dec. 23. The Foreign Ministers to-day concluded the first week of the Three Power Conference with an informal meeting in Mr Molotov s office in the Kremlin, says Reuter s correspondent at Moscow. This was the third private session, in addition to six formal, meetings. American sources continue to suggest that the informal talks are making good progress in a “warm, human atmosphere. The three Foreign Ministers after to-day's talk attended an official luncheon given by Mr A. Harriman, U.S. Ambassador to Russia. During the afternoon Generalissimo Stalin received Mr Byrnes with Mr Molotov. Mr Harriman was also present. The diplomatic correspondent of the ‘ Observer says that although complete official silence is maintained about the Foreign Ministers’ meetings, indications are available that the most difficult outstanding issues concern the Middle Fast. Signs are increasing that Russian policy in Persia aims not only at virtual separation of Azerbaijan from Persia but installing a Government of Russian choice at Teheran. The Russian war of nerves against Turkey has simultaneously intensified. These moves suggest the wish to make the Black Sea a Russian “mare nostrum with its coasts as a springboard for expanding Russian influence in the Eastern Mediterranean Such a policy would directly threaten the vitals of the British Empire. The correspondent adds that the contrast between Russia s forward policy in the Middle East and the moderate policy in the Far East is not overlooked in London. It explains the certain reserve which London feels regarding optimistic American forecasts about the Moscow conference. Britain will not be a party to a Middle East Munich.

INCREASING OPTIMISM London, Dec, 23. The Moscow talks among the “Big Three’s” Foreign Ministers entered their second week without the secrecy which has surrounded the talks being broken, but in an atmosphere of increasing optimism. A correspondent reports that at no time in recent history has optimism for the future of the world been so high in diplomatic circles. It is understood that a considerable degree of understanding has been reached by theToreign Ministers on several problems. “You can say the talks are going well,” an official told correspondents. The Foreign Ministers conferred at the Kremlin for more than two hours yesterday afternoon and met again in the evening. TURKISH PRESS COMMENT NOT PREPARED TO SURRENDER TERRITORY (Rec. 12.15 pm.) London, Dec. 23. The Teheran correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says polite Russian Embassy and consular officials continue to withhold permits for foreign newspapermen and American S'ate Department officials to visit northern Persia, and explained that the military commandants had not approved of the applications. The Istanbul newspaper “Vakit” said if Russia does not drop the claims Turkev would undoubtedly envisage war. Repudiating the claims of Soviet Georgia, other Turkish newspaper comment stressed that Turkey is not prepared to surrender territory. According to Moscow radio an •■Armenian Nation Council.” formed by Armenians living in Alexandria, issued a demand that the Armenian provinces “seized” by Turkey must be returned to the Soviet. The Armenia Council said that it would urge the return to Armenia of nationals living abroad. NORTHERN PERSIA INSURGENTS TAKE OVER ANOTHER TOWN Teheran, Dec., 23. Azerbaijan insurgents have taken over Ardabil, which surrendered, and the fall of Reziaeh is expected shortly. Thirty-four more officers from the Tabriz garrison arrived at Teheran. They were not molested e». "oute. General Barachshani, former commander of the garrison is confined to the Teheran Officers’ Club, where he is writing a report on the surrender «;f Tabriz. -teuter’-s correspondent says that Mr Harold, a minor chief in the Near Eastern Division of the United States State Department, who ai rived a fortright ago to study the situation in Azerbaijan, is still waiting for permission from the Russian authorities to travel to the area. Six British and American newspaper correspondents ar« similarly held jp. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Government intelligence service reported the presence of armed civilians and an unusual concentration of Russian tanks and troops in Mazanderan Province. Other reports indicate an antigovernment in the province of Khurassan.