891.51A/9–1445: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iran ( Murray )
522. Developments outlined in urtel 694, Sept 5, strengthen Depts belief expressed in Deptel 379, July 25, that continued presence of American Financial Mission in Iran under prevailing circumstances would be prejudicial rather than beneficial to American-Iranian relations. We are convinced that American prestige in Middle East is suffering from continued presence in Iran of a number of American employees of Iranian Govt who draw large salaries and are of comparatively little value to Iran.
We are inclined to believe no useful purpose would be served by awaiting further clarification of Bader’s intentions, since actions of successive Iranian Govts have made it clear that Iran has no real desire to give mission members authority necessary for effective functioning.
Dept therefore suggests that you inform members of financial mission in such a manner as you consider appropriate that Dept can understand that they must feel that their continued presence in Iran is not likely to be of material assistance to that country or of professional advantage to themselves. Consequently, if they desire to return to US, Dept would not object to their taking appropriate steps to terminate their services with Iranian Govt in a friendly and legal manner.
It is also suggested that you simultaneously inform Iranian Govt that American Govt is inclined to agree with many members of financial mission that mission will not be able in future to be of effective [Page 559] assistance to Iran and that American Govt hopes that Iranian Govt will endeavor to effect mutually satisfactory and equitable arrangements with those members of mission who express desire to return to US. In making this approach to Iranian Govt, you might appropriately make the other comments suggested in Deptel 379, July 25.
You should of course make it clear both to Iranian Govt and to mission members36 that American Govt assumes that termination of employment will be effected in accordance with Iranian Govts contractual agreements with each member of mission.
- In telegram 757, September 24, 1945, 1 p.m., Mr. Murray notified the Department that he had outlined the Department’s views to the members of the mission (891.51A/9–2445).↩