Evening star., 1946-12-10
Bridge Blasted
By Azerbaiijjaniis
Delays Iranians
4 Government Units
Invade Province
To Watch Elections
By fhs Associated Press


By me Associated Press
TEHERAN, Iran, Dec. TO-
Iran government troops foughI
into the semiautonomous prov.
ince of Azerbaijan today buI
were reported checked, at leasi
momentarily, when opposing
forces blasted a bridge at tht
southern entrance to a strategic
mountain pass.
-Four columns moved into thu
state, which staged a revolt against
Teheran while Russian troops wert
occupying Northern Iran, to enforct
Premier Ahmed Qavam's order TO,
supervised elections. Initial casual.
ties were reported light.
Jafar Pishevari, leader of the
Azerbaijan Democrats, in an appea,
broadcast over the provincial radio
at Tabriz, called on the people and
armed forces of Azerbaijan to &c
to the front and fight against the
central government. His long state
ment reviewed the fruitless nego-
tiations between Azerbaijan and the
central government over the last 13
months.
Central Span Blown Out.
Unofiicial but reliable reports said
the Azerbaijanis blew out the CEN
trail span of an 80-yard bridge over
the River of the Golden Swimmer
approaching Ghahankooh Pass,
which is miles from the first siz-
able objective, the town of Mianeh.
The river was said to have 6 feet
of water and In a condition prevent
ing fording.
1t was not Immediately clear
whether the destruction of the mid
die bridge span indicated the Aver
baijanis were falling back. A re-
liable informant said, however, that
Iran officers expected the bridge
to be blown and that sitter re-
sistance was expected in the pass
itself.
Some diplomatic sources said the
military action might provide q test
of Russian influence In the province,
which borders Russian Azerbaijan.
Qavam Informs Javid of Move.
AS government troops opened the
battle against the Fedaies, the
militia of the Azerbaijan Demo-
crat Party, Premier Qavam in
formed DR.. Salamollah Javid, gov
ernor general Of Azerbaijan, that
security forces had been ordered into
the province to supervise parlia-
rnentary elections and would enter
no matter what resistance was en-
countered. =
(Acting Secretary of State
Acheson said today that the
United States rpholds the right
of the 1ranian government to
send Its aSmed forces anywhere
1t desires In Its own territory)
Gen. Razmara, Trans chief Of
staff, said some Democrats were
killed and wounded in the early
fighting. He added that some cap
tives had been taken and that a few
Democrats had surrendered.
Gen. Razmara said the attacking
forces were made up of regulars and
irregulars and that the main thrust
began at 8 am. local time today.
He reported that contact was made
with the Democrat force a short
distance north of Sarcham at the
entrance OF Ghaflankooh Pass.
Pass on Main Route.
This pass, reported to have been
fortified by Democrat forces, strad-
dies the main route into the prov
tnce.
Teheran newspapers yesterday
carried fresh reports Of violence in
the dispute between the central
government and the Semiautono-
nous province.
~ Etelaat, semionicial newspaper,
said a government airplane drop
ping propaganda leaflets had been
fired on Saturday over three Aver
baijan localities, but was not dam
aged.
The same newspaper said two
members of the Fedaies had sur
rendered along the boundary as a
result of earlier leaflet appeals and
reported low Democrat morale.
Government Shifts Forces.
. A correspondent on the border for
Kahan, independent newspaper, re-
ported the Fedaies attacked Tikab
along the border between Azerbai-
jan and the Kurds, but had been
driven off after suffering many
casualties"
The newspapers also said govern
ment troops from Isfahan were be-
ing transferred to the Azerbaijan
border forces by way of Teheran.
g Iranian Azerbaijan, bordering
Russian Azerbaijan, revolted last
year while Soviet troops were in oc-
cupation and subsequently was
granted more home rule.
Elections Of deputies to the Maj
lis CParliament) were scheduled
throughout Iran for the two weeks
started last Saturday. Premier
Qavam has insisted he will not