Evening star., 1946-05-24
Soviet Announcement
OF Evacuation Leaves
Iran Case in Air
BY the Assoe,aied Press


NEW YORK, May 24.-Russia's
announcement that Soviet troops
completed their evacuation of
Iran on May 8 brought no clear
indication today what effect, if
any, the statement would have
on the United Nations Security
Council.
Ihe brief announcement of the
evacuation by the Moscow radio last
night left up in the air the reiter-
ated charge by Hussein Ala, IRAN
ian Ambassador, that Russia still
was interfering with the affairs of
Iran.
The Security Council-now in re-
cess subject to the call of the chair
man-still has the Iranian case on
its agenda as result of a decision
taken Wednesday. Under that deci-
sion the 1ranian matter may be
called up at any time by Council
member.
The Moscow broadcast was not
addressed specifically to the Council.
However, since Soviet custom is to
use the radio for important an
nouncements and let the matter rest
there, it was considered probable
the broadcast would constitute the
only word Russia would have on the
evacuation.
Has Asked Report by May s.
Soviet Delegate Andrei A. Gromy-
ko has consistently boycotted all
Iranian matters in the Council since
the Council refused month ago to
drop the entire matter on Mr.
Gromkyo's claim that an agreement
had been reached between Iran and
Russia.
The Council had requested a re-
port by May on whether the Red
Army withdrawal had been COM
pleted. The Moscow broadcast last
night constituted the first word
from Russia on the subject since
the Councils deadline was passed.
The May date mentioned in the
broadcast, as recorded by both the
Associated Press and the official
Soviet monitor in London, was three
days after the deadline.
On April 5, the Iranian govern
ment announced that under the Rus
sian-Iranian agreement Red Army
troops would evacuate all Iranian
territory within month and a
half from March "a.
In calculating the time for its
requested report, the Security Coun-
Gil apparently noted that six weeks
from March "a would be up on the
week end of May S. However, it
was noted that month and half.
counting a 3l-day month and IS
days tor half month, would make
the period expire May 9-the date
the Russians say they cleared all
of Iran.
Giral to Testify Further.
Meanwhile, United Nations sub
committee investigating Generals
slmo Francisco frances regime in
Spain was scheduled to hear fur
ther testimony from Jose Giral. pre-
nier Of the exiled Spanish repub-
Ncan government, at pm Monday.
Glral testified yesterday that
Franco had made Spain an armed
camp by allowing all citizens to bear
weapons to defend the country
against an attack by Russia" 1t
was impossible, he said, to set the
present military strength of Spain
since the whole population is en-
tilted under law to be armed"
In an earlier report to the COM
mlttee, the Republican leader put
the armed strength of Spain at s40,-
900, which he termed far in ex-
cess of the requirements of a peace
ful foreign policy and of healthy
structure for a State"
The eXiled premier said Spanish
arms factories had been modernized
AID put on high production level
under the guidance of Nazi tech
nlclans. His testimony concerning
the equipment of Frances troops
differed sharply with views expressed
to the committee in a memorandum
by the American Government. The
United States said the forces at
rrerent appear to lack the material
and trained personnel to fight
modern war"