891.24/191
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Murray)13
In accordance with our telephone conversation, I am returning herewith the papers regarding the question of Lend-Lease for Iran. As I explained on the telephone, I think it is altogether desirable that we support the Iranian Prime Minister and I believe, furthermore, that an announcement that Iran has been made eligible for Lend-Lease would go a long way toward giving him the support which he needs with the Iranian Parliament and the Iranian public. It would of course be desirable to make a simultaneous announcement regarding Lend-Lease for Iran and Iraq, but I assume that it would take some days before a decision could be reached in regard to Iraq. If that is the case I would favor making an immediate announcement in regard to Iran. In this connection I should mention that the Iranian [Page 293] Minister has been in to see Mr. Alling twice this week and has made numerous telephone calls urging a prompt and favorable decision.
- Addressed to the Under Secretary of State (Welles) and the Assistant Secretary of State (Acheson), both of whom indicated their agreement in marginal notations.↩