U.S. NOTE TO RUSSIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 57, 9 March 1946, Page 5

U.S. NOTE TO RUSSIA

WITHDRAWAL FROM PERSIA REQUESTED “CANNOT REMAIN INDIFFERENT”

Reed. 9 p.m. Washington, March 7. The United States Note to Russia regarding Persia says: “The Soviet Government’s decision to retain troops in Persia beyond the period stipulated by the tripartite treaty, has created a situation regarding which the United States Government, as a member of the United Nations and a party to the declaration regarding Persia, cannot remain indifferent.

“That declaration announced to the world that the British, American and Soviet Governments were at one with the Persian Government in the desire for the maintenance of Persia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. “In the United States Government's opinion, maintenance of troops in Persian territory by ony one of the three signatories without the consent and against the wishes of the Persian Government is contrary to the assurances contained in the declaration. Furthermore, it was generally accepted during the various discussions which took place at the meeting of the Security Council in London that

retention by members of the United Nations ot its troops in the territory of a country which was also a member of the United Nations without the consent of that country’s Government is rot in accordance with the principles of the United Nations, and the withdrawal of such troops should not be made contingent on other issues. “The United States Government, in the spirit of the friendly association which developed between the United States and the Soviet in the successful effort against a common enemy, and as a fellow member of the United Nations, expresses the earnest hope that the Soviet Government will do its part by withdrawing immediately all forces from Persian territory in order to promote the International confidence ■ which is necessary for peaceful progress among the people of all nations. "The United States Government trusts the Soviet Government, no less than itself, appreciates the heavy responsibility resting on the Great Powers under the Charter to observe obligations in respect to the sovereign rights of other nations. The United States Government requests that it be promptly advised of the Soviet Government's decision, which it hopes will be in accord with the viwes expressed in the United States Note."

ii . MORE TENSE FEELING IN TEHERAN RUSSIANS’ FAILURE TO WITHDRAW. Reed. 6 p.m. London, March 7. Three persons were killed in Teheran and five were injured when gendarmes prevented supporters of the Tudeh Party and partisans of the Right from entering the Parliament Buildings. Moscow radio broadcast a joint Russian and Persian communique to-day-stating that questions concerning both countries had been discussed in an atmosphere of friendship during the conferences between M. Sultaneh and Messrs. Stalin and Molotov between February 19 and March 6. “Both Governments feel that with the appointment of a new Soviet Ambassador to Persia favourable conditions lor the

continuation of friendly relations between the two countries have been created,” it said. M. Sultaneh left Moscow by air today. He is calling at Baku en route to Teheran. The Russian radio and Press have still not mentioned Mr. Churchill’s speech, the British and American Notes on Persia, or Mr. Byrnes' recent speech. Reuter's Teheran correspondent, quoting a Persian Cabinet Minister, says that the Red Army forces stopped Persian troops on the way to take over places which were said to have been evacuated by the Russians. The Russians arrested some Persian officers for not having proper passes. The Minister said: “When the Russians announced that they had evacuated Meshed. Semnan, and Shadrud, we dispatched our forces. They were stopped at Garmsar by the Red Army. The Russians have not evacuated any place. Their announcement was a lie.” The correspondent says that the atmosphere in Teheran is growing more tense hourly over reports of the failure of the Russians to evacuate the country. The commander of the Garmsar gendarmerie telephoned this afternoon that the Russians were still in occupation. • The total strength of the Russian forces remaining in Persia is estimated at about 30,000, spread over Azerbaijan and the Caspian coast, says the Teheran correspondent of “The Times."