“THREAT” TO PERSIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27447, 21 July 1950, Page 7

“THREAT” TO PERSIA

Alleged American Military Activities

RUSSIA’S PERSISTENT CHARGES

AP—NZPA—Copyright Rec. 8 p.m. TEHERAN. July 20. The Snah of Persia stated today that Russia had been misinterpreting the 1921 Russo-Persian Friendship Treaty under which the Soviet claims the right to send troops to Persian soil if it feels itself threatened by foreign activities in Persia. The Shah said that the “threat” referred to in the treaty covers only activities of counterrevolutionary White Russians which Russia feared at the time the treaty was signed.

Using the treaty as an excuse, the Soviet has been blustering at Persia for several years claiming that ,an American military mission has been building bases against Russia in Persia. The Shah called this charge “ridiculous.” He said “there are no American military bases here.” For the last few months, Russia has been complaining about Persia’s oil exploratory plans, including aerial photography, saying that they have a military purpose and that American experts are helping. . The Shah said that Persia needs not only between 50,000,000 and 100,000,000 dollars in loans from the United States in the near future for her economic rebuilding programme, but also requires further extensive United States military aid. The Shah said his appointment of the Premier, Ali Bazmara, late in June was a. firm break from the past nine years of misgovernment by weak, selfish politicians. He said he would have acted sooner, but it took that long-for the Crown’s prestige to be restored after the Allied war-time occupation. The Shah said that the recent Government change was more evolution than revolution, which will gradually replace inefficient Government administrators by patriotic and honest men. “It may take a year to root out the bad completely, but it is hoped to deal with important posts within three months.” he added.