Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXII, Iran

86. Excerpt From Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, May 20, 1965, 2 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Group (CI) 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 20, 1965

PRESENT

• Governor Harriman, Admiral Raborn, Mr. Bell, Mr. Anderson vice Mr. Rowan, General Anthis vice General Wheeler, Mr. Friedman vice Mr. Vance

Ambassador Holmes and Messrs. Jernegan and Maechling were present for the meeting

2. Progress Report on Internal Defense Plan for Iran

Mr. Jernegan briefly reviewed the Progress Report on the Internal Defense Plan for Iran² saying that there is essentially no great change and that the situation has vastly improved despite recent assassination attempts on the Shah. He said that there is always danger of assassination of high level officials in Iran but that there are no indications of major plots to threaten the regime. He informed the Group that local internal security forces have improved their ability to handle internal security situations and that the Army has enough personnel trained in counter-insurgency to begin training themselves.

He briefly reviewed some of the reform programs such as the Literacy Corps, female emancipation and administrative and fiscal reforms. He said that the Youth Program is progressing well but that there is a shortage of operating funds for the Student Center. Messrs. Bell and Anderson said that USIA has agreed to provide the funds that the Country Team has requested; if there is a problem in providing more funds, AID is prepared to take another look.

Mr. Jernegan concluded by saying that no new actions by the Special Group are called for and suggested that in light of the current stability of Iran the requirement for semi-annual progress reports on the IDP be suspended and reports be submitted on an ad hoc basis. The JCS and DOD representatives did not concur, stating that the police have probably improved but are not yet capable of handling a situation such as that of June 1963; also there is unrest among the ethnic minorities. The Group agreed with the Chairman’s recommendation that, since there is a new Ambassador in Iran, he be asked to submit one more report by October 1, together with his recommendation on further reporting.

The Chairman reported that in his discussions with the Shah on Tuesday, the Shah had expressed concern over student activities. The Shah said that he had evidence that the recent attempt on his life was planned by students recently returned from England. Mr. Jernegan informed the Group that the Shah’s information is from an Iranian source, but we do agree that students are involved. Ambassador Holmes pointed out that there are indications of Chinese Communist influence among the students in Iran.

Mr. Bell brought the attention of the Group to the recent report of a Youth Committee Survey Team asking if not more could be done in this field. The Chairman suggested that the Interdepartmental Youth Committee take a look at our programs in Iran to see what useful things we might do to assist.

In reply to a question by the Chairman, Mr. Bell explained that the phase-out of AID in Iran, tentatively scheduled for FY-68, will be reviewed annually, and if there is need for continued CI programs they will not be phased out.

The Director of Central Intelligence asked if there is a contingency plan on what should be done in case the Shah is removed from the scene, and if there is one, is it adequate? Ambassador Holmes replied that there has been a contingency study. He said there are constitutional provisions for a regent, but not for a regency council, and that it has been suggested that perhaps there could be a council of advisers for the Prince, acting as regent, until such time as he reached his majority. He reported that he had discussed this subject with the Shah but nothing specific has been done. It was agreed that the Ambassador should be requested to bring this contingency study up-to-date.

The Director of Central Intelligence asked if there is any new action that we should take to expedite and support such programs as Youth, Literacy Corps, and land reform, etc. The Group agreed with the Chairman’s recommendation that the Ambassador be asked to observe these programs closely to insure that all steps are being taken to improve their effectiveness.

The Director of Central Intelligence asked if the USIA is initiating or assisting in any psychological operations in support of western-oriented youth and labor groups. Mr. Anderson answered by saying that USIA will prepare a report on this subject for the Group.

The Director of Central Intelligence stated that he would like to have the Country Team’s views on the adequacy of Iranian security measures to protect the Shah. The Group agreed with the Chairman’s recommendation that we request the Country Team’s views on this subject.

1. Source: Department of State, NEA/IRN Files: Lot 69 D 489, Iran 1965, POL 23–1 Plans, Programs—POL 23-1-a, Internal Defense Plan. Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text. The excerpt was prepared as an enclosure to an airgram to Tehran, but a handwritten notation on the source text reads: “Note: this not included in airgram as Maechling says sending minutes of CI outside of country prohibited. dg 6/1/65.”
2. Governor Harriman’s April 28 memorandum for the Special Group (CI) summarizing the Country Team’s fifth and sixth progress reports on the Internal Defense Plan for Iran is ibid. Airgram A–81 from Tehran, August 22, 1964, containing the Embassy’s fifth progress report and airgram A–501 from Tehran, March 29, 1965, containing its sixth report are ibid., Central Files, POL 23–1 IRAN.