§ 28. Mr. Mott-Radclyffeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to carry out an inspection of the zone on the Bulgarian-Greek frontier which, under Article 12 of the Peace Treaty with Bulgaria is scheduled for demilitarisation.
§ Mr. MayhewOn 5th February, the United States Minister in Sofia formally invited his British and Russian colleagues, 1687 as co-guarantors of the peace treaty, to join him in inspecting the southern frontier of Bulgaria where according to Article 12 of the treaty the construction of permanent fortifications is forbidden. His Majesty's Minister was authorised to take part; but the Soviet Embassy replied that they considered that no fortifications existed there. The British and American Ministers have replied that it is their responsibility to make sure that this Article is still being implemented.
§ Mr. Mott-RadclyffeWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that there can be only one reason for the Soviet's refusal to facilitate this inspection?
§ Major BeamishCan the statement that no fortifications exist be a reason for not inspecting the area?
§ Mr. MolsonWill American and British Ministers be entitled under the Treaty to carry out an inspection by themselves, or is this another case where it is possible for Soviet Russia to impose a veto?
§ Mr. MayhewIf the Soviet Embassy do not wish to join us, we shall certainly be prepared to carry out an inspection ourselves.