PERSIA DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 117, 22 May 1946, Page 5

PERSIA DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE

SITUATION STILL A MENACE

Received 8.55 p.m. NEW YORK, May 20. Dr. Husem Ala (Persian Ambassador), in a letter to the Security Council, reported that the Persian Government had insufficient first-hand information regarding the true state of affairs in Azerbaijan to enable it to present a complete report requested by the Council.

Such information as was avail: effect that, as a consequence of tl plained of, the Persian Governmen exercising any effective authority Soviet interference in Persia’s internal affairs had not ceased. Therefore, it had not been possible to make such an investigation as was required to establish that ail Soviet troops had withdrawn from Persia, and particularly investigate reports that Soviet soldiers had been left in Azerbaijan in civilian clothes, and that military equipment had been placed at the disposal of those challenging Persia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Although a commission was at present stated to be in Tabriz to inquire about conditions in Azerbaijan, it was

lable, to 5 p.m. to-day, was to the he interferences previously eomit still was being prevented from • in Azerbaijan. doubtful that an adequate investigation could be conducted, or a satisfactory report made by the Persian Government until it was in a position to exercise full authority throughout Azerbaijan. Dr. Ala claimed that the events demonstrated that the threat to Persia’s integrity and also to international peace had grown more serious. Dr. Ala added that his Government was still unable to confirm that the Russian troops had evacuated all Persia, because the autonomous regime established during Russian occupation in northern Persia had barred free access to Azerbaijan. The "New York Times" says the letter will be discussed at a meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday. which Russia's delegate is expected to boycott.