Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

761.91/263: Telegram

The Chargé in Iran (Ford) to the Secretary of State ⁴⁴

Tehran, April 7, 1944—11 p.m.
[Received April 8—1:30 p.m.]

240. British Ambassador today informed me Department had asked Foreign Office to join in making representations to Soviet Government against Russian exploitation of Iran. Foreign Office, consequently, had asked him of Soviet action detrimental to Iran.⁴⁵ Sir Reader said he proposed to reply in general terms to effect that Russian-occupied area is not making its proper contribution to Iran’s economic life and that this situation must be changed, especially in view of anticipated poor harvests in southern section of country this year.

I assume that in broaching this subject with Foreign Office, Department had in mind various incidents, such as rice and munitions contracts, reported by Legation from time to time. I am asking Millspaugh to inform me of any similar Soviet activities which may not have been reported hitherto.

In this general connection, Department may wish to consider asking Soviets to justify restrictions placed upon travel of Americans, British and other non-Iranians in Soviet zone of Iran. Soviet permit system at present is very strict, and procedure unpredictable, and while merely source of inconvenience and annoyance to American civilians and military not connected with Iranian Government, it is grave handicap to operations of American advisers, both economic and military. Under present circumstances, I do not see that military necessity requires such close and arbitrary control of the movements of nationals of Allied nations, especially when they are in the service of Iranian Government, whose sovereignty and responsibilities include zone in question. As Department may know, Iranian nationals are not required to obtain permits for travel in Soviet zone.

Sent to Department as No. 240; repeated to Moscow.

Ford

44. In telegram 2830 April 10, midnight, to London, the Department reported the substance of this telegram to Mr. Murray, then in London as a member of the Stettinius Mission (see vol. i, pp. 1 ff.).
45. In telegram 226, April 12, 9 p.m., to Tehran, the Department replied: “The Foreign Office instruction to the British Ambassador in Tehran must have arisen out of the current Anglo-American conversations in London. A paraphrase of your telegram has been sent to London, for the attention of Mr. Murray. Department will relay to you any further information obtained.” (761.91/263)