Anglo-American Examination of Soviet Relations

Chronicle (Levin), 15 March 1946, Page 5

Anglo-American Examination of Soviet Relations

Press Assn.

MR. BEVIN RECALLS STALIN'S ASSURANCES

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Received Friday, 1.15 p.m. LONDON, March 14. The situation in Persia, combined with Generalissimo Stalin's bitter attack on Mr. Churchill, has been foilowed in Londcn and Washington by a close examination of the worsening rejations between Russia and the Western Powers. Commentators in both capitais take a grave- view of the situation. A United States State Department official said reports are still being received of exlensive Russian troop movements in Persia. The reports show that of three strong but not massive Russian forces, one is at Karoj, twenty-three miles from Teheran, while the second has passed Marand, north of Lake Urmia, and is moving in the direiction of Khoi, near the Turkish border. The third is at Mianeh, south of Tabriz, and in a position to move to Teheran or toward the Turkish-Iraq border. In the House of Commons to-day, the British Foreign Minister, Mr. Ernest Bevin, said he had received inquiries as to whether His Majesty's Government Intended to replace the British troops in Persia. The Government had taken no decision to that effect, nor'any steps to open negotiations with the Persian Government for the return of the British troops. "We have received the most categorical assurances from Generalissimo Stalin and the Russian Government that the integrity of Persia would be respeo.ted, and there is no intention of taking aggressive action against her," Mr. Bevin said. "I clearly understand from M. Molotov that there is no difference of view on the date by which the Allied troops should be withdrawn under the Treaty, namely by March 2, 1946. six months after the signing of the Japanese instrument of surrender.