The soviet Government today served notice on the United States, England and France that she intends to demand a say in the moves which are now being made by the Western “Big Three” to seek a settlement of the Arab-Israel conflict. A statement to this effect was issued in Moscow by the Soviet Foreign Ministry.
The Soviet Union, “the Moscow statement said, cannot regard with indifference the situation developing in the Middle East, since it is clearly connected with the security of the Soviet Union which is situated in the immediate neighborhood of this area, unlike the situation of several other powers.”
The Soviet statement described the recent Eisenhower-Eden declaration on the Middle East situation as “a unilateral measure undertaken without the United Nations and without the participation of Middle Eastern countries.” The Washington declaration, Moscow claimed, “cannot but create a threat to peace and security in the Middle East and also cannot but violate the independence and sovereignty of countries in this area.”
“Any act such as the entry of foreign troops on the territory of nations of the Middle and Near East, without the prior agreement of interested governments and without the sanction of the Security Council of the United Nations would be a rude disruption of the principles of the United Nations and the sovereignty of a number of nations, the Soviet settlement said.
It added that “the Soviet Union will defend the freedom, independence and principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries of the Middle and Near East. Together with other interested governments, it will support the security of this area.
The Moscow statement noted that the. Washington declaration said specifically that the signers claimed they wanted the settlement of the controversy between Israel and her Arab neighbors. “That would be fine if it were so. But in that case why are these decisions taken without-the participation of interested nations, behind their back?” Moscow asked sarcastically.
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