701.9111/564: Telegram
The Chargé in Iran (Merriam) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:52 a.m.]
41. My telegram No. 35, May 19, 5 p.m. Yesterday Chief of the Third Political Division informed me of decision not to state Iranian position in writing. He said that if no more exceptional press articles appeared no further communication on the subject would be made but if they continued the Legation would receive a written communication along the lines of his statement of May 17, reported in the first sentence of my telegram No. 34, May 17, noon. He gave as the reason for the decision the fact that the position had already been set forth verbally and since the Foreign Office was satisfied that it had been accurately communicated to the Department there was no necessity for putting it in writing.
Motamedi said the attitude of the Government was that of waiting and watching the American press. He intimated that a reasonably written statement would be likely to bring from us an explanation that we could do nothing about the press, a fact which was known.
Iranian position seems illogical from our point of view because it seeks to place upon us a responsibility which we are unable to accept under our system. On the other hand, the Iranians feel that they could not continue relations with a government which, whatever the reason, either cannot or will not protect the name of their sovereign and nation.