891.20/172: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:29 p.m.]
290. Department’s 239, September 10. Prime Minister informs me he is agreeable to appointment of General Ridley and that he will instruct Minister in Washington in this sense. When I informed him military mission would not come forward immediately, he showed keenest disappointment. He said army badly in need of reorganization and expressed hope that General Ridley will bring with him 4 or 5 officers who can proceed without delay to rebuild Iranian Army. Shah in interview with Colonel Schwarzkopf admitted for first time that Iranian Army is in bad shape and needs complete reorganization. An American military mission at present would seem advisable from all angles to satisfy Iranians, to assist in maintaining internal security and to give support to our police and gendarmerie advisers whose tasks without an efficient army will be most difficult.