761.91/10–2544: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran ( Morris ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5 p.m.]
782. RefEmbstel 779 of October 24. At the last moment Prime Minister Saed was not included in the dinner invitation of the Shah. Apparently the Shah felt after full reflection that the presence of the Prime Minister and Mr. Maximov together would not be helpful. Those present were Ambassador Maximov, Vice Commissar Kavtaradze, Court Minister Ala and another court functionary who speaks Russian. The Shah attempted to persuade the Russian officials that there was nothing unfriendly towards Russia in the action of his Government in postponing the oil concessions. A long discussion took place and Court Minister Ala is of the opinion that a slight improvement in the atmosphere resulted. He is not under the impression however that the Russians will cease their opposition to Prime Minister Saed. He is inclined to feel now that the Russian Embassy’s attitude may be the result of a personal understanding between Kavtaradze and Maximov in order to save face with their own Government by reason of the failure of the Kavtaradze Mission. However, Ala says that this is only a surmise on his part. To the contrary of this view I recall the Trud newspaper article published in Moscow which must have received official approval there.
Sent to Department, repeated to Moscow and Cairo.