891.00/12–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran ( Murray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:55 p.m.]
1158. Colonel Homayun, Commander of Gendarmerie in Tabriz, has returned to Tehran and reported as follows:
- 1.
- A total of 23,000 votes was cast in recent election for popular assembly but not more than 1,500 to 2,000 persons actually voted, voters being hauled from one polling place to another in Soviet trucks.
- 2.
- Democrat rebellion was carefully planned in advance with full military surveys made in each town and village. In each settlement groups of up to 50 conscriptees who had finished military service were rounded up and by cajolery and terror were induced to join movement. These men became troops of rebellion. In each locality they were under leadership of Soviet official in civilian clothes.
- 3.
- Democrats have deluged province with propaganda which follows usual Soviet line and shows definite Soviet inspiration.
- 4.
- Army barracks in Tabriz have been abandoned. There were many desertions in garrison prior to surrender. General Derakshani, [Page 506] Tabriz Commander, has gone over to Democrats29 and may become Minister of War in autonomous govt. Prior to actual surrender, he advised his men to make terms with rebels and many have done so; officers keeping same ranks and receiving same pay in Azerbaijan army as previously. Officers and men declining offer are supposedly permitted to return to Tehran.
- 5.
- Azerbaijan Parliament has met and proposed [to] the Central Govt, that it collect all taxes in region 75% of which would be retained for needs of province and remainder remitted to Central Govt. If this and other proposals of assembly are refused Azerbaijan will proclaim complete autonomy and appoint Minister of Foreign Affairs. (It will be recalled that only last week Democrats claimed they would leave both War and Foreign Affairs in hands of Central Govt but have already reneged on former.)
- 6.
- Whole movement originated as defense against plots of British secret agents. While not much reliance can be placed in Homayun in view of nature of his arrival here (Soviets facilitated air passage), I believe most of above points except No. 6 may have considerable basis in fact and they are in accord with information previously reported to Embassy. Homayun has not confirmed Reuter’s report that Tabriz garrison was surrounded by Soviet machine gunners before surrender.
Northern area is reported comparatively free from bloodshed at moment with Democrats almost in entire control of Azerbaijan. Kurds, however, are reported increasingly reluctant to obey Russian orders and some including influential Chieftain Granai Agha Mahmash have openly proclaimed loyalty to Iranian Govt. Influence of this Chieftain is considerable and it may be that Democrat movement will encounter considerable opposition on part of Kurds.
Shahsevand Tribe is reported divided with one chief favoring Central Govt and his brother supporting rebels in order that Tribe may stand well with whichever party finally gains upper hand.
Tribes in Ahar Region along Soviet border are reported blocking passes in area and causing considerable trouble to Soviet military movements.30
Sent Dept 1158, repeated Moscow 358, London 141.
- In telegram 1161, December 20, 1945, 2 p.m., the Ambassador in Iran reported that General Derakshani had returned to Tehran and had been placed in military custody (891.00/12–2045).↩
- In telegram 1164, December 20, 1945, 3 p.m., the Ambassador in Iran reported that the Soviet Consul at Tabriz and several members of his staff had been transferred to Meshed and “are reported organizing activities in Khorasan similar to thus far successful Democrat movement in Azerbaijan.” (761.91/12–2045)↩