861.24591/3–646: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Kennan ) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received March 6—4:33 p.m.]
687. In accordance with Dept’s 397, March 6,3 I called on Qavam again this evening and conveyed to him substance of note to Molotov sent in pursuance to Dept’s 385, March 5. Since he does not understand English, I translated appropriate passages of note orally into French for him. He made no comments but nodded approvingly from time to time.
He confirmed to me that he expects to leave tomorrow morning and to stop over one night at Baku. Journey to Tehran, he explained, was too tiring to make in one day.
He showed me text of final communiqué which Russians had proposed to him. General sense was that they had discussed in amicable and agreeable atmosphere questions of interest to the two Governments and that talks would be continued in Tehran between Iranian Government and new Soviet Ambassador to Iran. He said that he [Page 344] had declined to accept this text and had altered portion to read that in connection with arrival of new Soviet Ambassador in Tehran, the two Governments would continue their efforts to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions of the various questions of interest to them. [I?] only had a glimpse of Russian text on that document so this is not a verbatim version. What significance of this change is, I cannot say. Qavam’s version appears, however, to leave much wider leeway for Iran Government in further talks in Tehran.
He said dinner last night had been cordial with many toasts and speeches. As Dept knows, this means in Russian circumstances—exactly nothing. But fact that he stayed over and that dinner was given at all is itself significant.
On occasion of both my visits to him, he showed interest in status of Security Council at present moment, particularly as to whether it was in permanent session and where. I told him it was my understanding that it was in permanent session although I was not sure what would be considered its seat at this moment.
Sent Dept 687, repeated Tehran as 46.