"IRON CURTAIN IN THE AIR”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26242, 28 August 1946, Page 4

"IRON CURTAIN IN THE AIR”

Although the incidents concerning the shooting down of American -planes over Jugoslav territory were serious enough in themselves, it was clear from the beginning that the prompt and strongly worded protest made by the States was not inspired by these events alone. The matter was really another move in diplomatic tactics on an international issue of the gravest importance. It is concerned to a certain extent 1 with the problem of Trieste and Venezia Giulia and is linked with a series of occurrences in which friction has been generated by clashes between American and British units and the Jugoslavs. The intransigence of Marshal Tito is too marked and too consistent to be an isolated phenomenon, and throughout all these happenings there is a suspicion of Russian motivation. Tito’s withdrawal on this occasion does not indicate that he is unsupported by Moscow; it .simply means that the time has come for a moderation of pressure to avoid any major disagreement until opinion in the Balkans has been sufficiently regimented for a more overt policy to be implemented. Jugoslavia, indeed, appears to be the western front for the expression of Soviet anti-American sentiment, as the Chihese Communists in Manchuria constitute an eastern front. In each case there is a pattern of events the purpose of which is to discredit American influence among peoples who, Russia feels, should be more or less closely linked to form a protective zone for itself. Jugoslavia is an important strategic area in such a plan. Through it pressure can be brought to bear to gain control of Trieste, which is a natural outlet for Central Europe. It can be an influence in Russian ambitions in the Dardanelles, and its attitude must also be taken into consideration in the vexed matter of opening the Danub.e to free shipping. Jugoslav resentment of the infringement of territorial rights by aircraft flying off their course has been described as creating “an iron curtain in the air ” This is again in keeping with Russian policy. It may be recalled that there have been similar incidents along more northerly frontiers. In the field of the planning of international aviation, Russia is the only great Power remaining outside the recent conferences on trade routes and mutual air concessions. The “iron curtain in the air” is already effective in Russia, and it is apparently to be extended now from the Arctic to the Mediterranean—a most formidable barrier to trade and to the relationships which follow trade. The firm attitude adopted by the United States may be interpreted as a warning to Russia that America is aware of the trend of events and intends to resist devious manoeuvres j which are a camouflage for Russian I expansion. The Jugoslav incident j may, in the future, be clearly seen | to have been a landmark on the road | to the future constitution of Europe.