891.00/11–2745: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

3978. Yesterday afternoon I called on the Iranian Amb to ask what communications he had had with the Sov FonOff. He told me that he had seen Dekanosov73 three times during the last few days requesting Sov authorization for Iranian troops to proceed to northwest Iran. Dekanosov contended that this was not necessary and that if additional Iranian forces went to that area it would require an increase in the Sov forces. Dekanosov said that troops were not required to settle the situation and told the Amb that the Iranian Govt should know what to do. Dekanosov declined to be specific but the Amb got the impression that he referred to earlier conversations some months ago in which it had been suggested that the Iranian Govt should make a friendly gesture toward the Sov Union. The Amb assumed that this related to granting of oil concessions. The Amb said that Dekanosov had recently made no demands on the Iranian Govt and had feigned ignorance of evidence the Amb had given him that stimulus to the “democratic” movement had come from the Sov Union. This referred not only to the Azerbaijanians but also to the encouragement of the Kurds.

The Amb said further that some months ago when he had seen Molotov the latter had stated to him that Sov troops would be withdrawn from Iran in accordance with the agreement.

Sent Dept as 3978; repeated Tehran as 161 and London as 602.

Harriman
  1. Vladimir Georgiyevich Dekanozov, Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.