861.24591/4–1046: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Murray) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received 2:17 p.m.]
498. Prime Minister said today that Ala’s action on asking that Iranian question be retained on Security Council agenda was taken on basis earlier instructions. Qavam has sent no new instructions to Ala and at moment has no intention of doing so.
He would prefer to have matter remain on agenda but fears Soviets may soon demand that he join in their request for its withdrawal. (They have not yet approached him.) If they do, he proposes first to say that he can see no harm in letting question remain in present [Page 416] status before Security Council, but if Russians insist he feels he will be obliged to inform Council at least that Iran would not object to its elimination from agenda. He suggested Iran Govt might include in such communication an expression of hope that it would not prove necessary again to request Council action.
In this connection Prime Minister asked whether, if subject should be removed from agenda at this time, Iran could not return to Security Council at any time should circumstances require. Jernegan replied that he believed this was correct, since Council is supposed to be in continuous session. Qavam seemed to be debating with himself as to how far he could trust Russians. At one point he asked whether we believed Soviets could fail to carry out evacuation in view of public commitments they have made.