701.9111/656: Telegram

The Chargé in Iran (Moose) to the Secretary of State

111. Referring to the Legation’s telegram No. 109 October 12, 5 p.m.28 The following briefly summarizes developments since the Legation’s No. 108 of October 6, 2 p.m. [October 8, 6 p.m.]: On the [Page 743] morning of October 9 Murray called on the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and explained the position of the press in the United States and the moral certainty that whenever the press learns of the appointment of an Iranian Minister to Washington it will refer to the events preceding the closing of the Iranian Legation. Such reference it was pointed out may be displeasing to the Iranian authorities and Murray explained with illustrative examples that it cannot be prevented nor can retractions be secured through official channels. Rais thanked Murray for his frankness on a problem about which the Iranian officials had already thought and prepared a memorandum thereon for submission to the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he returns to Teheran.

The same day Rais gave a luncheon for Murray to which were invited 15 high Government officials including the Prime Minister and the staffs of the Turkish Embassy and American Legation.

The following day by previous arrangement with the Minister of Foreign Affairs two newspaper editors interviewed Murray—an innovation in local press procedure. Naturally Murray commented favorably on changes in Iran during the last 14 years and did not fail to express confidence that relations of the United States with Iran will be closer in the future. The interview should be published with photographs in this evening’s papers.

On October 10 Murray gave an official luncheon, which was attended by seven high Iranian officials including the Prime Minister who rarely accepts such invitations from Diplomatic Missions. No member of the staff can remember a precedent in this Legation. Also contrary to custom on Murray’s proposal a toast was drunk to the Shah and the Prime Minister responded with a toast to the President.

Yesterday the Chief of the Third Political Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while delivering the Shah’s letter to Murray affirmed that there can be no question of the royal decision to appoint a Minister to Washington.

Unofficial comment by Iranian officials continues to reach me indirectly and it uniformly approves the results of Murray’s visit and the dignified way in which they were achieved.

Moose
  1. Not printed.