861.24591/10–1845: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom ( Gallman ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:25 p.m.]
10907. In commenting on exchange of correspondence between Bevin and Molotov regarding troop withdrawal from Iran, Baxter of Eastern Department38 told us that Soviet attitude regarding full observance of treaty naturally satisfactory but that difficult to understand refusal of Russians to commit themselves regarding date by which withdrawal should be completed. British cannot see any reason which would justify uncertainty on that point. Baxter saw possible explanation in fact that Molotov was working in strict accordance with his brief, while Bevin on his side was concentrating on relatively more important matters and did not feel justified in forcing issue. Baxter said, however, that Foreign Office is not inclined to read too much into this angle of matter and hopes that apparent Russian evasiveness will not be borne out in actual implementation of agreement.
Sent Department as 10907, repeated Tehran as 26.
- Charles W. Baxter, Head of the Eastern Department in the British Foreign Office.↩