891.20 Mission/7–444: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran (Ford)
407. War Department has informed us that it desires to terminate the military mission in Iran but will take no action before obtaining the Department’s views.
Unless you and General Ridley perceive objection, please inform the Iranian Government that the War Department considers it necessary to terminate the mission on November 1, 1944, since its chief purpose will have been accomplished by that time and the need for military man power is pressing. You should add that if the Iranian authorities have strong reason for requesting the continuation after that date, their reasons therefor will be given sympathetic consideration, although no assurance can be given that it will be possible for the United States to spare the military personnel for continuation.
Termination of the military mission has no connection with the difficulties of the financial mission, and you should make this clear should the point arise.
With reference to your 451, June 24, 10 a.m., 119 the Department agrees that any decision regarding a joint American-British program of supplies for the Iranian Army and Gendarmerie should be contingent upon a satisfactory settlement regarding the Ridley and Schwarzkopf missions. In your discussions with the Iranians, however, [Page 420] you should of course avoid any implication that the Iranians would be well advised to press for the continuation of the missions if they hope to obtain further American supplies. The record of the military mission in obtaining American supplies, as set forth in General Ridley’s report to the War Department of May 31,21 is an impressive one and should be adequately appreciated by the Iranians. The Iranian authorities must show a clear and strong desire for the advice and assistance which the personnel of the mission can render, irrespective of supply questions, before the Department will be willing to recommend continuance of the mission.
You should keep the British informed, with reference to the question of joint supply [and?] of the status of the military mission.