197. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Helms to Secretary of Defense McNamara1
Washington, May 16, 1967.
SUBJECT
- The Shah of Iran
- 1.
- The June visit of the Shah may well be a critical point in the history of our relations with modern Iran. [3 lines of source text not declassified] In recent years, the Shah has been comparatively cooperative in permitting us to expand exclusively United States facilities in Iran. Also, he has exercised a moderating influence [1 line of source text not declassified]. It is because of my concern that the viability of this entire complex may be affected by the conversations that you and others will have with the Shah that I am taking this means of underlining the significance of his visit.
- 2.
- This may be the last occasion that we will have to deal with the Shah as a Middle East leader committed to the United States. I have been impressed that, despite his détente with the USSR in matters of aid and trade, his cooperation with us on matters relating to United States intelligence and security interests and his own posture in dealing with hostile Soviet intelligence activities in Iran have remained, among Middle East leaders, almost uniquely unambiguous. But he has become impatient over the years with our insistence that Iran is militarily threatened only by Soviet forces across the Iranian-USSR border. He is genuinely convinced that Soviet support of radical nationalist forces led by President Nasser constitutes a threat to the more moderate elements. He feels that [Page 367] this threat must be met primarily by a coalition of moderate Middle East countries pursuing a new policy of self reliance. He appears determined to assume the leadership in this new regional alliance but will come seeking United States understanding and a level of support necessary to deter the aggressive actions of those regimes supported and used by the USSR and, to a lesser extent, Communist China.
- 3.
- The Shah has repeatedly stated that the ultimate answer to Communism is social and economic progress, and he feels that he has demonstrated this in Iran. He may, during his visit, propose a long-range development program for southern Iran and raise the question of a major development program for all the Gulf as the answer to Soviet and UAR support of the “liberation struggle”.
- 4.
- The Shah, like most of the leaders in the Middle East, is filled with growing anxieties about both the ability and the will of the United States to remain a Great Power and a reliable ally in his part of the world. Determining our intentions will be the objective uppermost in his mind. His appreciation of our position will, I think, become apparent in the course he pursues when he returns to Iran. Other political leaders in the Middle East, not to mention those in Moscow, will be acutely sensitive to his reactions and consider them in contemplating their separate interests and policies in the area.
Dick
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 72 A 2468, Iran 091.112, 16 May 67. Secret.↩