Friendlier Attitude Seen In Soviet Note

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 13

Friendlier Attitude Seen In Soviet Note

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. The latest Soviet proposal that Britain, the United States and France join her in a declaration stating that they condemn the use of force as a means of settling problems in the Middle East and noting with regret that the Russian proposals of February 11 have not been accepted, contains fewer controversial points than the earlier Note to the Western Powers on the Middle East, says the Moscow correspondent of “The Times.” “While, creates a picture of Russia as a protector of peace in the Middle East, it may be argued that by agreeing to such a declaration Britain and France would be denouncing any justification for the Suez campaign. “It would contribute nothing toward a solution of the Suez Canal issue, or the relaxing of tension along the 1 Israel-Arab frontiers which are the real ingredients of the Middle East problem. “The Soviet Note is noteworthy for its friendly tone which has also been evident in other Kremlin statements of late.

"It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Soviet leaders would welcome a return to the atmosphere which prevailed before the events in Hungary and Suez, for the Russians have learnt that the bellicose statements which characterised the Stalin era had the effect of incurring the suspicion and resentment of the non-Communist world.”

The diplomatic ■ correspondent of “The Times”, says the latest Note is being studied in London. “It is difficult to detect any new emphasis in it. “As with disarmament, the public side of Russian Middle East policy seems to be mainly devoted at present to a quest for declarations by the Powers.”