The
situation now developing in the area of the Near East merits the earnest
attention of all states and public circles concerned with the strengthening of
universal peace and the thorough easing of international tension.
It has been repeatedly pointed out
that the main cause for the aggravation of the international situation in the
Near and Middle East is the continuing attempts to knock together and extend
military groupings which serve the aims of colonialism and are directed both
against the independence of the peoples in this area and against the security
of the peace-loving countries. The establishment of such groupings has become
the source of international friction and conflicts in the area of the Near and
Middle East and the cause for the deterioration of relations between the Arab
states and Israel as well as Turkey, and between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and
Pakistan and India.
Instead of taking measures to
achieve peaceable and friendly relations between the independent states in this
area on the basis of the principles of peaceful co-operation adopted at the
Asian-African conference in Bandung, some countries are pitted against other
countries, which has created a tense atmosphere in this area. The pressure
brought to bear upon the independent Arab states by certain powers with the
object of compelling them, contrary to their will, to join the aforesaid
groupings, such as the well-known Baghdad pact, constitutes a violation of the
principles of the United Nations and is contrary to the interests of peace and
international security.
At the present time, the aggravation
of the Arab-Israeli conflict is one of the most dangerous elements of the
situation in the Near East. Regardless of how the causes of the outbreak of
this conflict are appraised, one cannot fail to see that certain circles of
some states, not interested in strengthening international peace, are seeking
to use the Arab-Israeli conflict for their own aggressive ends, going so far as
to introduce foreign troops into the territory of the countries of this area
and to create military complications. Intervention in the affairs of the Arab
countries is aimed at restoring the positions of colonialism in the Near East,
in which certain oil monopolies are particularly interested. It is well known
that the three-power [Tripartite] agreement of 1950 [WebDoc #1] is in line with
these aspirations. All this is fraught with the danger of a breeding ground of
war developing in that area, which must not be permitted.
The government of the Soviet Union
is resolutely upholding the interests of peace and peaceful co-operation among
the nations. It is firmly and consistently carrying out measures aimed at
easing international tension, which is in keeping with the wishes of the
peoples of all countries, including the peoples of the Near East.
The establishment, after the Second
World War, of the national independence, and the consolidation of the state
sovereignty of a number of states which until quite recently were in the
position of colonial or mandated territories is a great achievement of the
peoples in the cause of safeguarding peace and security in the area of the Near
and Middle East. The Soviet Union has regarded with sympathy and warmly
supported the efforts of the countries of the Near East aimed at establishing
and consolidating the state independence of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Libya, the Sudan, Iraq, Israel and others. In the same
way, the Soviet Union appreciated the actions of Britain and France which
facilitated a solution of pressing Near East problems on the basis of
recognising the independence and sovereignty of the aforementioned states.
The principles of respect for
national independence, sovereignty and non-interference in the domestic affairs
of states, and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means are
recorded in the United Nations Charter. Being a consistent supporter of these
principles, the Soviet Union has sincerely and wholeheartedly supported, and
continues to support the striving of the Arab states to secure the further
strengthening of their recently gained national independence and the
advancement of their economic well-being.
In the establishment of the
independence of the states of the Near East and in their general advance the
Soviet Union sees an important guarantee of peace and security in this area.
That is precisely why the Soviet government has readily responded to and has
met the wishes of the governments of these states directed towards these aims.
In so doing the Soviet government has not sought special advantages for itself
and has endeavoured to arrange its relations with the states in this area on
the basis of the just principles proclaimed by the peoples of Asia and Africa
at the Bandung Conference.
Desiring to secure the consolidation of peace and the
development of international co-operation, and taking into account the just
national interests of the peoples of all countries, the Soviet government has
invariably opposed the violation of peace in the Near East, and any actions
which could entail the outbreak of armed conflicts or could be utilised as a
pretext for precipitating such conflicts.
The Soviet government considers that an armed conflict in
the Near East can and must be avoided and that it is in the interests of all
the states of the Near East not to allow themselves to be provoked into being
involved in hostilities.
The Soviet government at the same time regards as
unlawful and impermissible, from the standpoint of maintaining universal peace,
the attempts to make use of the Arab-Israeli conflict for intervention from
outside in the domestic affairs of the independent Arab states or for
introducing foreign troops into the territory of the Near East.
In connection with the aforesaid, the Soviet government
states:
1. The Soviet Union will render the necessary support to measures of
the United Nations aimed at exploring ways and means for strengthening peace in
the Palestine area and implementing corresponding decisions of the Security
Council.
2. The Soviet Union considers that measures must be taken in the
immediate future to ease the existing tension in the Palestine area without
interference from outside which is contrary to the will of the states of the
Near East and the principles of the United Nations.
The Soviet Union urges the
parties concerned to abstain from any actions which might aggravate the
situation on the existing demarcation line established by the armistice
agreements between the Arab countries and Israel and also to make the necessary
efforts to improve the hard lot of the hundreds of thousands of Arab refugees
deprived of their shelter and means of livelihood.
The Soviet Union considers that in the interests of
strengthening international peace and security the matter must be handled in
such a way as to lead to a lasting peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue
on a mutually acceptable basis, taking due account of the just national
interests of the parties concerned.
The Soviet government expresses its readiness to
facilitate, together with other states, a peaceful settlement of questions
outstanding.
SOURCE: Yaacov Ro’i, From
Encroachment to Involvement, doc.42.
