The Pittsburgh Press (March 30, 1946)
Simms: Invitation to Reds
By William Philip Simms
NEW YORK – Like Alice in a bewildering Middle Eastern wonderland where things keep getting curiouser and curiouser, an impatient Security Council has given Moscow and Tehran until next Wednesday to make things a little less curious.
The net effect of Friday’s meeting was to throw open the door to Russia if she wishes to take her place again in the Council. All she has to do is to assure that body within the next 100 hours that she intends to live up to her pledges under the charter, and the thing is done.
This would mean, of course, a Soviet promise to withdraw the Red Army from Iran within a reasonable time, and not to put further pressure on that little country to obtain concessions. That, in effect, is all. For other members of the Council are anxious to see her return to the table.
Would win postponement
By giving these assurances Russia almost certainly would win postponement of the Iranian question until April 10 which she seeks, and the whole incident would be on its way to settlement.
Russia’s extraordinary behavior is the topic of behind-the-scenes conversation here to the exclusion of almost everything else. Many believe something has gone wrong with Russia’s plans in Iran. For the first time in years the usually well-geared Soviet machine seems to have slipped a cog.
When it was first announced that a Soviet-Iranian understanding had been reached, Moscow undoubtedly was confident that an agreement soon would become an accomplished fact. Hitherto Russia had usually managed to have her way with small neighbors.
But when Iran’s Premier Ghavam reached Moscow and was presented with a list of conditions if he wanted the Red Army to get out of his country, he hebelled. After a fortnight of wining and dining he returned home without affixing his signature on the familiar dotted line.
Out on a limb
Thus when Soviet Ambassador Gromyko took his seat at the end of the council table here, he also found himself out on the end of a limb. His instructions were to delay matters until April 10.
This might give time for the now famous “understanding” to be brought about. That the young envoy put up a memorable battle is universally acknowledged, but he lost because he had no ammunition.
Gromyko’s one weapon was the alleged “understanding” whereby the Red Army was already withdrawing from Iran. But the moment the Iranian Ambassador Ala was allowed to speak, even that weapon was taken from him. The understanding turned out to be non-existent.
So, something seems to have gone wrong with Russia’s plans. That thing was the United Nations. Relying on the Security Council to back it up, Iran apparently had the courage to stand pat against even one of the Big Three.
She was and still is taking a big chance. But if she wins, the world will have witnessed the dawn of a new day.