AZERBAIJANIS LAY DOWN ARMS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5278, 13 December 1946, Page 5

AZERBAIJANIS LAY DOWN ARMS

( Press Assn.-

SUKRENDER TO PERSIA

ELECTIONS TO PROCEED ACCORDING TO PLAN

—Rec. 9.30 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 12. The Government of the Province of Azerbaijan has instructed its troops to lay down arms and allow the passage of Persian Gqvernment • forces into the Province. A statement, says this has been done in order to enable the Persian troops to superyise the conduct of the Azerbaijan eJections. The fighting had been precipitated by the Tudeh Party, a left-wing Rus-sian-sponsored organisation which controls Azerbaijan and has considerable influence in Kurdistan. It denied the authority of the Persian Govemnient to station troops in Azerbaijan (as in other provinces) during the elections. The Azerbaijanis have surrendered to the Persian Government. All Azerbaijani forces have been instructed to lay down arms and allow the Government fc-rces to enter Azex'baijan, according to a cable received by the Persian War Minister, signed by the Azerbaijan Governor-General, Mr. Djuvid, and the Premier, Mr. Pishevari. The cable said the Azerbaijanis had decided to submit to the Government's decision to have imperial troops supervise the elections in Azerbaijan. All the foreign embassies in Teheran have been informed. The British United Press Teheran correspondent says the Chief' of the Persian General Staff, General Rasmara, said: "Fc-llowing skirmishing which lasted two days, our troops operating from Zenjan arid Takab reached Mianeh and Shahendej. The Zenjan column penetrated through Ghaflankuh Pass, which is the door to Azerbaijan. This decided the Azerbaijan leaders to announce the decision to submit to the Central Government. Disarming Population The Zenjan column will continue from Mianeh to Tabriz. The other column will reach Miandoab, and on their way will send small forces to various places where the work of disarming the civilian population,* including tribesmen, will begin ?s a prelude to the elections." A Persian headquarters communique stated that the Persian army eaptured all points in the Ghaflankuh heights. Imperial troops were on the outskirts of Mianeh, which was cornpletely encircled and cut off from Tabx'iz. In Washington the State Department denied the Russian press assertion that the United States furnished aircraft to the Persian Army. The' Teheran rigktist newspaper Atash reported that the Russian Arnbassador had advised Mr. Qavam that the army drive into Azerbaijan broke the Russian-Persian agreement. threatened the Russian borders, and was "a great support to reaction--aries," which Russia could not just wait and watch. Moscow Press Puts Blame On Amenca For Failure LONDON, Dec. 12. Alexander Werth, cabling to the Manchester Guardian, says the Moscow press blames the Americans for encouraging Qavam esSultaneh and compares the recent developments in P'ersia with the situation in China. Mr. Werth says that anyone who has been in Persia knows that the progressive spirit is stronger in Azerbaijan than in other parts of the country, and that although Azerbaijan is not necessarily attracted by Gommunism the people have learned much from the Russians ahout social welfare, hygiene and education. During the war hundreds of Rusvian doctors worked among theni and did much to improve their health services. Typhus, malaria and venereal disease, which are prevalent in other parts of Persia, have noticeahle diminished in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has the example of the ' neighbouring States of Armenia, Georgia, and Soviet Azerbaijan, which compared with Persia proper are orderly, well run and prosperous countries. ^ They are among the most progressive States of the Soviet Union, and in recent years many Azerbaijani from Persia have been given opportunities to visit them. Ivlr. Werth claims that the Russians have also gained the sympathy of the Azerbaijani by eliminating race discrimination. Russian and Azerbaijan workers on the oil concessions^ axe paid the same rates, whereas British and American employers draw more than the natives. Refusal to Co-operate The diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says it is open to doubt whether comrnon sense has been applied by all parties to ihe dispute. It is clear, however, that. the Azerbaijan autborities have refused to co-operate with the central Government in establishing electoral machinery which woulc have guaranteed the freedom of the elections without bringing in troops to supervise it. ^ It is pointed out in London iba although it was agreed bftween Russia and Persia last March that oil concessions granted by Persia to the Russians should be ratified^ by the C.hamber to he elected within seven months, nine 'months have already elapsed without elections talcing place. The British policy is to support the ratification of the oil concession to Russia, also the granting of local government to various Persian provinces within the genera framework of the present Persian State.