Evening star., 1949-03-23
Ac1eson Assai|s
Reds Pressure
Against Iran
Voices U. S. Interest
In Safety Of Stotes
Not in Alliance
By Gornett D. Homer

Secretary of State Acheson to-
day assailed Russian pressure on
Iran in statement denouncing as
altogether false" Soviet charges
that the United States is making
Iran base for attack on Russia.
At the same time, he emphasized
anew American interest in the
security of Iran, Greece, Turkey
and countries in other parts Of the
world not covered by the new
North Atlantic Security Pact.
He told a news conference that
negotiation of the treaty binding
the United States, Canada and key
Western European countries into
an alliance for defense of the
North Atlantic area does not mean
any lessening of American interest
IN security elsewhere.
Ties With Greece Reaffirmed.
He issued a separate statement
reafflrming American solidarity"
with the government and people
of Greece lin their struggle to
preserve Greek independence" in
the face of rebellion largely di-
rected by anti-democratic forces
outside Greece's borders"
He described Greece as a test
ing ground" of United Nations
machinery for the peaceful settle
ment of international disputes.
AS for Iran, Mr.. Acheson said
the American Embassy there has
been reporting for some time so
Wet pressure upon Iran in the
form of persistent press and radio
propaganda"
He recalled that Iran has pro-
tested against disturbing Soviet
press and radio attacks"
The Iranian protest mentioned
In particular Soviet allegation
that American advisers intend
to transform Iran into a military
base to be used against the Soviet
Union"
Charges Held Wholly False.
Mr.. Acheson asserted that such
charges are altogether false and
demonstrably untrue"
He explained that the. United
States now has two missions in
Iran. One Is a military mission
of between 40 and so officers and
enlisted men. which deals ex-
clusively with advice and training
on matters Of Army administra-
tion-having nothing to do with
combat training. The other is a
mission of IL officers and men
training Iranian police as a iorce
for preservation Of internal order
and security.
Neither mission has any func-
ton of command or operational
advice, Mr.. Acheson said. He
added there are no American
bases in Iran and none are
planned.
He told his news conference
that in his radio address on the
North Atlantic pact last Friday
night he tried to make clear "our
continuing interest in the security
OF areas outside the North At
lantic community. particularly in
Greece, Turkey and ran"
He said he war; ii to stress that
again today particularly in con-
nection with Greece. whose gov
ernment and people are conduct
ing this week a series of demon
strations for work and victory"
U. N. Principle Carried Out.
United States support to Greece
now. he said, is an attempt to give
practical effect to American de-
termination that the United Ma
tions' .o"inciple of collective Or
ganization for peace shall be made
to work.
Continued American military
assistance to Greece and Turkey
will be tied up with a program for
building up the armed forces of
European members of the North
Atlantic Pact in legislation now
being prepared in the State De-
partment.
Mr.. Acheson said work is going
forward on drafting the legisla-
ton, but he was not yet ready to
discuss details Of the program.
The Administration is expected
to ask Congress to give President
Truman broad authority to trans