891.00/5–446: Telegram
The Chargé in Iran (Ward) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
639. Qavam told me this evening his negotiations with Azerbaijanis are deadlocked. Principal point of disagreement is disposition of Azerbaijan Army. Prime Minister is insisting it must be completely disbanded and that any armed forces stationed that province in future shall be composed of regular conscripts with officers appointed by Tehran. Pishevari has refused accept this. Other disputed points are:
- (1)
- Prime Minister demands that National Majlis Azerbaijan be dissolved and completely new elections be held for Provincial Council. Pishevari wants present Majlis preserved intact and simply converted bodily into Provincial Council.
- (2)
- Qavam wants Azerbaijan finances controlled by commissioner appointed by Tehran, with locally appointed “comptroller” under [Page 448] him to represent provincial interests. Pishevari insists Chief Finance Officer must be locally named with Tehran appointee as subordinate comptroller.
Contrary to unofficial reports, Qavam says there has been no discussion as to who shall be appointed Governor General.
Prime Minister saw Pishevari and Soviet Ambassador Sadchikov this morning, Sadchikov being present as mediator. According to Qavam, Pishevari persisted in intransigent attitude to such point that he (Qavam) lost his temper and used “undiplomatic language”. At this point Sadchikov intervened and suggested discussions be postponed. Prime Minister hopes to see Pishevari tomorrow in effort to reach agreement. If this fails he expects Pishevari to return to Tabriz day after tomorrow but does not anticipate that this will mean complete break as he thinks either Pishevari or some other Azerbaijan representative will return later to resume conversations.
Qavam says he has told Pishevari plainly that he could not and would not make concessions beyond those publicly announced (Embtel 578, April 23). He said constitution forbade it and he further lacked authority from his Cabinet. Dept will recall he told me same thing May 1.
Sent Dept 639; repeated Moscow 184; and Paris for Delam.