891.105A/10–244: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:30 a.m.]
726. ReDept’s No. 581, September 22. Schwarzkopf states that report probably originated as result of suggestion made to him some 3 months ago by General Fraser, British Military Attaché, that Schwarzkopf take over police mission in addition to gendarmerie duties. Schwarzkopf says he categorically refused at that time but that when further urged by Fraser he stated he would only take police mission if he could name his own assistants and even then solely in supervisory capacity. He states that his attitude today remains unchanged and that he definitely does not seek any participation in Iranian police affairs which he describes as being even more deplorably chaotic than conditions in Iranian Gendarmerie.
I feel that Schwarzkopf is completely sincere in his attitude and I agree with him that his present gendarmerie duties are sufficiently onerous to preclude his assuming any others. Furthermore I strongly doubt the wisdom of making any approach to Iranian Government regarding filling vacant police post. I have been reliably informed that British preoccupied over security situation in Iran have questioned this Government about an American replacement for the late Timmerman and possibly may have specified Schwarzkopf as successor but Iranians have never mentioned subject to this Embassy since Timmerman’s death. And while sympathizing with British desire to maintain security of Iran I urge that unless and until Iranians make first move this matter be held in abeyance.35
- The Counselor of the British Embassy (Wright) was informed of the contents of this telegram on October 3, 1944, by Harold Minor of the Division of Middle Eastern Affairs.↩