861.24591/3–1546: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Vice Consul at Tabriz (Rossow)
us urgent
10. You are commended for the energetic and thorough manner in which you have been keeping Dept informed regarding military and other developments in your area.
Reports have been received from London that on Mar 13 an official of the FonOff made a statement to the effect that reports from Washington regarding movement of Soviet troops in Northern Iran had been exaggerated. According to Brit info only two fresh columns of Soviet troops had been observed in Northern Iran.
[Page 360]Please inform Dept regarding extent to which you are keeping in touch with Brit Consul General in Tabriz and whether his estimates of movements of Soviet armed forces and military equipment differ materially from yours.20
Sent to Tabriz, repeated to Tehran as no. 213, to London as no. 2328 and to Moscow as no. 479.
- Telegram 357, March 18, 10 a.m., from Tehran, reported: “British Embassy states it does not feel Rossow’s reports exaggerated and that British Consul’s reports from Tabriz have reported same info. British here deny sending anything to London belittling Soviet troop movements in Azerbaijan and they state they fail to understand statement made by FonOff official.” (861.24591/3–1846) Mr. Rossow stated in telegram 90, March 20, 1946, noon, that “I have maintained closest possible contact with Brit Consul throughout my assignment here. We have traded information without restraint. … He has just confirmed my constant belief our reports and estimates are essentially same.” (861.24591/3–2046)↩