891.51A/872: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 20—3:27 a.m.]
1007. My 1000, October 15. Majlis has just finished a secret session devoted to discussion of Millspaugh resignation. A Deputy with whom [apparent omission] as considerable criticism of Millspaugh’s dictatorial “take it or leave it” attitude the vast majority of Deputies are strongly in favor of doing everything possible to retain Millspaugh Mission. I talked on the phone with the Foreign Minister who said “The session went well and I am very hopeful”. I have an appointment with Foreign Minister tomorrow on subject and will immediately thereafter report full details.
Press has unanimously adopted line that the Millspaugh Mission and American advisers in general must be retained in Iran at all costs. Some papers and most politicians criticize severely Millspaugh’s intransigent attitude and state that Iran does not need a dictator. Leading politicians and important persons such as Shah and Ala are working among Deputies and Government officials to effect a compromise which will enable Mission to continue.
Ala informs me the Shah has virtually issued orders to Majlis to pass the pending bills without delay.
I regret that most Iranians are thinking unduly of the international political reasons why Iran must have United States advisers and almost ignoring the important economic side. Since our purpose in sending advisers was to assist Iran to rebuild her economic as well as political structure, I believe it would be well to stress to Iranians in Washington that we expect the fullest cooperation from the Government in contributing to the success of the economic phases and do not approve of the too prevalent view that American advisers are useful only as mere political buffers.
Repeated to Moscow for Jernegan.