891.6363/9–2244: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 22—1:15 p.m.]
701. The Prime Minister last night told me that the principal object of the Kavtaradze Commission concerned the petroleum fields in the north mentioned in my telegram 698, September 21. He said, however, there were other questions which would be explored concerning the economic and commercial relations between Russia and Iran. He added the interesting comment that he would broach to Kavtaradze the subject of the withdrawal of Russian armed forces and endeavor to explain [explore?] the mind of Moscow if possible towards this subject and would suggest that the Russians should make preparations for withdrawal within the near future. The Prime Minister was not pessimistic [optimistic?] about withdrawal but said he thought it was a good opportunity to show interest in this subject of prime importance.
Dr. Millspaugh has heard that the commission is here to settle some outstanding commercial accounts as one of its secondary interests.