PERSIAN TROUBLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26015, 1 December 1945, Page 7

PERSIAN TROUBLE

MOVEMENT OF TROOPS RUSSIA REFUSES REQUEST LONDON, Nov. 29. The Soviet Government Note rejected, though in very friendly terms, Persia’s request for Persian troops to enter the province of Azerbaijan 'to deal with the rising there, reports Reuter’s correspondent at Teheran. The position is not regarded as unsatisfactory, and it is believed that the Government will place" the issue before Parliament. Official reports indicate that the insurgents have turned away from Teheran and are now moving north-east towards Resht. The news caused some relaxation in tension, but the crisis is considered merely to have been postponed. Private reports from Tabriz stale that all is quiet. The elections for the National Council are proceeding. Onlv members of the Democratic Party have been nominated.

The Persian Ambassador in Washington, 'Husian Ala, informed President Truman that the Persian Government had received a Note from Russia formally refusing Persia permission to reinforce the garrisons in Northern Persia. The Soviet claimed that a further northward movement of troops would produce bloodshed and also necessitate bringing more Russian troops to Persia. The Times diplomatic correspondent says that the Russian Note replying to Persia said that Persian troops might be allowed to proceed to Azerbaijan, but Russia would then find it necessary to reinforce the Russian-Persian border and to keep peace between Persian troops and the autonomists. Russia has denied accusations of interference.