891.00/9–2445: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Murray) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 24—11:30 a.m.]
758. Moscow telegrams 136, September 14 to Tehran20 and 3315, September 18 to Department21 and Tabriz mail report September 6 to Department.22 At this early date after its formation which appears to have occurred about August 30 it is difficult to evaluate exactly new “Democratic Party of Azerbaijan”.
In its leadership and avowed aims it seems designed to strike middle course between reactionary landlord class and extremists of Tudeh Party. First impression is that emphasis is laid upon Azerbaijan regionalism first and social reform second.
Most significant piece of evidence as to character however seems to be furnished by publicity given party by Moscow press and by Russian language daily published Tehran by Soviet Embassy both of which published party manifesto. This is taken to imply definite Soviet blessing and many people here including British Embassy take it for granted new party is merely Tudeh Party under another name. In [my view it is more likely that23] party is intended as Ebling suggests to increase respectability of Liberal movement in Iran and to serve in case of need as replacement for Tudeh Party if latter is outlawed or falls into such disrepute as to be no longer useful. (General Staff communiqué on Meshed desertions reported my telegram 749, September 2024 indicates Iran Government has decided on drive to discredit and perhaps abolish Tudeh.) Regional aspect of democratic party would of course lend itself to furtherance of any Soviet policy to weaken central Government and bring about ultimate secession of Azerbaijan.
Sent Department as 758; repeated Moscow 242, Tabriz 38.
- Same as No. 3269 from Moscow, p. 407.↩
- Not printed; in giving a survey of the Soviet press, it stated: “A determined Soviet effort to consolidate its influence in northern Iran was implied in formation of new democratic party ‘Azerbaijan’.” (861.9111 RR/9–1845)↩
- Despatch 213 from Tabriz, not printed.↩
- Bracketed insertion based on copy of telegram in Moscow Embassy files.↩
- Not printed.↩