Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Near East and Africa, Volume VII

501.BC/5–246: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Stettinius)

secret
us urgent

Washington, May 2, 1946—8 p.m.

43. For Stettinius. Following suggestions are submitted for your guidance at the time of resumption of Council proceedings on Iranian case.

1. If Soviet and Iranian Governments report complete withdrawal of Soviet troops from Iran, our position should be that no further proceedings on the subject are required and that the matter should be dropped from the agenda. In this event you may feel it desirable to make a statement along the following lines: The Security Council’s resolution of April 4, 1946 requested the Soviet and Iranian Governments to report by May 6 whether the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from the whole of Iran had been completed and provided that the Council would then consider what, if any, further proceedings would be required. In view of the reports made by the Iranian and Soviet Governments stating that withdrawal of the Soviet troops has been completed, it is the position of my Government that no further proceedings are required and that the Council be no longer seized of the case.

2. If the Iranian Government reports complete withdrawal of Soviet troops but the Soviet Government fails to report, our position should be the same as 1 above. In this event you should make a statement along the lines suggested in paragraph 1 above but prefaced by an expression of regret at the failure of the Soviet Government to respond to the request of the Security Council for information.

3. If the Iranian Government or both Governments fail to report you should propose for support SC action calling upon the Secretary General to request an immediate report from the non-complying party or parties and stating that the Security Council should continue to be seized of the matter.

4. If Iranian Government reports that Soviet troops have not been completely withdrawn, you should propose or support an adjournment of the SC for 1 or 2 days in order that members may have an opportunity to study the issues involved in the light of the report. Under such circumstances our position will depend on the factual situation relating to the withdrawal and whether extenuating circumstances exist or have been alleged in the Iranian report and further guidance will be sent to you.

5. We have requested Tehran Embassy¹⁵ to keep us informed on a day-to-day basis of the factual developments there. We will transmit the information to you.

Sent to New York; repeated to Tehran and Moscow, and Paris for the Secretary.

Acheson

15. Telegram 386, May 2, 1946, 6 p.m., not printed.