891.105A/8–1844: Telegram
The Chargé in Iran (Ford) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
630. I have discussed with Schwarzkopf question of renewal of his contract raised in Department’s 497, August 14, and in response to my request he has prepared written statement reviewing work thus far accomplished by his mission and recommending that mission only be retained if American interest in Iran is deep and lasting, an interest in which question of security assumes major importance. Should this be case, mission should be kept in Iran not for one additional year, but for as many years as may be necessary to create a really effective organization. If, however, our interest in this matter is only passing and dictated primarily by necessity for wartime security, mission may be withdrawn at conclusion of its present contract since its plans for reorganization of Gendarmerie are complete and Iranian Government will be free to take whatever action it desires toward putting these plans into effect.
I believe Schwarzkopf’s argument is well put and should receive Department’s careful consideration. Wartime security in Iran probably does not now require continued presence of Gendarmerie Mission and only possible justification for its continuance would be a desire to see more or less permanent security here and to continue our policy of aid to Iran. This is a long range proposition and if it is decided to renew mission’s contract with this in mind, it should be brought to War Department’s attention that there will be no use consenting to renewal of contract at this time unless it is prepared to place mission in Iran on a quasi permanent basis.
Copy of Schwarzkopf’s statement31 follows by airmail.
- Not printed.↩