SECURITY COUNCIL VIEWS NOTICE OF RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL WITH SUSPICION

Chronicle (Levin), 23 May 1946, Page 5

SECURITY COUNCIL VIEWS NOTICE OF RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL WITH SUSPICION

Press Assn ,

By Telegraph

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Received Thursday, 12.20 p.m. NEW YQRK, May 22. The Persian delegate, M. Ala, told the Security Council that all Soviet troops had left Persia by May 6. whereupon the I.Tnited States repreaentative, Mi\ E. R. Stettinius, proposed that aetion be postponed because the Soviet had not made a / j/port and the Persian report was incomplete. The Russian 'delegate, M. Gromyko, did not attend. Mr. Stettinius pointed out that the Persian Government's message said that "local people" in five localities had stated that the Soviet troops had witlidrawn, but the United States Government considered this was not sufficient evidence. Mr. Stettinius, describing the situation in Persia as potentially dangerous, said he did not wish to propose at present that the Council make its.own investigation, but he requested that the matter be kept on the agenda. The British representative, Sir Alexander Cadogan, sup])orted Mr. Stettinius. Sir Alexander said he would like auswers to the following questions: Firstly, what proportion of Persian territory do the localities investigated represent; seeondly, is the Persian Government satisfiecl with the situalion ; and, thirdly, have the reports that the Soviet forces were left behind dressod in civiiian clothes been investigated? Pointing out tbat Russia had not made a report to the Council, Sir Alexander said: "We cannot but look on the matter with suspicion." M. Ala, who was subsequently given a seat at the Council iable, said that the Prime Minister, M. Ghavam Sultaneh, had requested the Council to drop the question of the Soviet troops' withdrawal. He added that M. Sultaneh had said nothing about withdrawing the complaint that Russia was in-lei-fering in Persian affairs. M. Ala said he believed it was'created a trained Azerbaijan army, Jong after May 6 when all the asked : "Does not that constitute Soviet troops were witlidrawn — if interference?" He added: "I cantliey were actually out now. not tell you that interference has M. Lange (Poland) declared that ceased." the Council's attitude to the whole The Council decided unanimously Persian afl'air served to make Per- . to keep the Persian case on its sia the perpetual football of Big books, but to adjourn discussion Fe.ur politics. indefinitely. This would allow the Answering questions by M. Lange. case to be brought up at any time i\l. Ala said M. Sultaneh 's message members desired. v. as not a categorical statement The Council rejected by nim that all the Soviet troops had with- votes to two M. Lange's proposal tc (Irawn. The Persian Government , ask M. Sultaneh for a straight did not at present control Az'erbai- ! "Yes" or "No" as to whether he wat 'jan. but M. Sultaneh 's telegram satisfied with the Soviet evacuaindicated that Persia believed, on T Ihe basis of avaiiable information, Fiance supported M. Lange ti.at the evacuation was completed., ,^e Council adjoumed subject to M. Ala. declaring that the Soviet The chairman's call.