SITUATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND PERSIA "NEW AND DANGEROUS"

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 February 1948, Page 5

SITUATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND PERSIA "NEW AND DANGEROUS"

SOVIET NOTE COMPLAINS OF UNITED STATES ACTIVITIES

(N.Z. P.A. —Copyright ) Received 8.35 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 3 What the “Daily Herald" diplomatic correspondent describes as “a new and dangerous situation, ’ has arisen between Russia and Persia as a result of the strong Russian Note accusing the Persian Government of lending itself to American plans for converting Persia into a ‘‘mili-tary-strategic base.” The Notes according to the diplomatic correspondent of “The Times,” speaks of American activities on the northern frontiers of Persia (which Russia has previously claimed as being within the Soviet defence zone), and says that these activities are incompatible with the state of good-neighbourly relatione, proclaimed in the Soviet-Persian 1921 Treaty.

The Note adds. “The Soviet Government therefore expects the Persian Government, without delay, to take the necessary measures to eliminate the existing abnormal situation.” It is this reference to the SovietPersian 1921 Treaty which is especially ominous, says the "Daily Herald’s’’ diplomatic correspondent. This Treaty he points out, gives the Soviet the right to advance its troops into the Persian interior if “a third Power should desire to use Persian territory as a base for operationns against Russia.” And the Soviet Note, the correspondent adds, seems designed to build up a case which would enable the Soviet Government to claim the right to re-occupy the northern provinces of Persia, from which it withdrew its troops in 1946. The Note alleges that "considerable contingents of American officers are about to arrive in Persia,” and that American officers are supervising the building of fortifications and airfields near the Soviet frontier. The diplomatic correspondent of "The Times” points out that this is the fourth Note delivered by Moscow against real or fancied American actions In the past few days. The first protested against American plans to use an air base in British-administer-ed North Africa. The second was against American warships’ presence in Italian waters. The third protested against the use of American aircraft in the Yellow Sea to observe Russian shipping. The sending of such Notes, the correspondent of “The Times” says, is a new development of the general Soviet campaign against the American Administration, but the latest Note is most serious because. it is addressed not to Washington or London, like the others, but to the small neighbour against which Soviet claims are still outstanding.