891.00/12–545: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran ( Murray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5—9:40 a.m.]
1069. Text of Molotov note November 2993 (which reached us only yesterday although sent by Moscow November 30) was delivered PriMin’s office last night and I gave copy to Shah while dining with him later in evening.
Embassy will try to obtain from official and other sources information requested Dept’s telegram 669, December 3. Meanwhile following provisional answers are submitted:
- 1.
- Information received from Iranian Army and gendarme sources as reported numerous earlier telegrams leave no doubt my mind that Russians have repeatedly interfered with movements Iranian security forces stationed in northern provinces.
- 2.
- Iranian military commander Azerbaijan told Garver and Jernegan last week his forces were not sufficient restore order in province (mytel 1011, November 28). Unless reinforcements of approximately 4 battalions received he felt he could only defend Rezaieh, Tabriz and Ardabil.
- 3.
- From all information so far received Iranian security forces Azerbaijan and elsewhere in north have been almost exclusively on defensive. Where positive steps have been attempted, Soviets have frequently interposed obstacles and in many cases, however, Iranian officials seem to be so intimidated that they do not even attempt to take affirmative action.
- 4.
- I assume Dept merely wants official confirmation that actions of “National Congress of Azerbaijan” are not recognized by Iran Govt as having any legal validity. So far as I know Iranian officials made no attempt to prevent meeting of “Congress”.
- 5.
- Reports by Capt Gagarine and others show clearly many legally appointed officials are still at their posts in localities occupied by insurgents but are working under control of “Democrats” rather than Central Govt. I have no specific reports regarding replacement of legally designated officers by others although all information makes clear this must have occurred in number of cases.
But so far as Tabriz is concerned lack of regular reports to Central Govt has unquestionably been due to cutting of telegraph lines and “Democrat” interference with postal service. Except in towns occupied by insurgents where they are necessarily cut off from all contact with Central Govt, I have heard nothing to indicate officials have been subjected to duress to prevent sending of reports.