MOTIVE OF RUSSIA

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

MOTIVE OF RUSSIA

“Bid For Arab Allegiance”

(N.Z. Press Association Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, April 23 Russia’s decision to publish today the exchanges last autumn among Moscow, London and Paris on the Suez crisis represented a determined bid for the allegiance of the uncommitted Arab world, observers considered today. The main motive of the surprise publication was noted to have been strongly hinted yesterday by the Russian Government spokesman Mr Leoni Ilychev. H? referred to the rejection by the Big Three Western governments last month . of Russia’s call for / a Great Power declaration of peaceful intent in the area. The publication of the exchanges on Suez follows the publication of fresh Soviet Notes to the United States, France and Britain reiterating Russia’s call for a concert of the Powers in the area and its attack on the Eisenhower doctrine and the Bagdad Pact.

The publication of the correspondence immediately after this fresh Russian move in Middle East politics may be an attempt to provide apparent documentary evidence of Russian concern for Egyptian interests. A further reason for the timing of the publication may be the imminence of a decision in the long-drawn-out Cairo talks on Suez management between Egypt and the United States.

The exchanges between the Russian Prime Minister, Marshal Bulganin, and the then British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony .Eden, last autumn, contain a detailed statement of Russia’s standpoint in the Suez issue.