861.24591/3–2746: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iran (Murray)
most immediate niact
248. From Byrnes for Murray. With reference to your Niact 411 Mar 27, 5 p.m., please inform Qavam that we appreciate his keeping us closely informed regarding his negotiations with the Soviet Ambassador and will respect his request that this information be kept strictly confidential. However, the position of the American Representative on the Security Council will become very difficult unless the Council receives information promptly concerning certain aspects of the negotiations, particularly the fact that the Soviet Ambassador continues to qualify his assurances regarding troop withdrawal until agreements are reached regarding oil and Azerbaijan. We have maintained resolutely before the Council that the Iranian request to present its case should be granted on the ground that according to our information the claim of the USSR that an understanding has already been reached is not correct. If the present status of the bilateral negotiations were clearly reported to the Council, our contention that no agreement has been reached would be indisputably established. If no report of the status of the negotiations is made the impression will be created that Soviet-Iranian negotiations are progressing smoothly and that the United States is pressing the case of Iran for its own purposes.
It is no longer possible for Iran to continue both to plead its case in the Council and at the same time to carry on secret bilateral negotiations regarding which it is unwilling to inform the Council. Iran is entitled to have its case considered by the Council, but Qavam should authorize Ala immediately to inform the Council regarding the status of the negotiations. [Byrnes.]