861.24591/5–1546: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received 3:55 p.m.]
698. Qavam informed me this morning that he had sent telegram to Pishevari last night informing him that colonel in the Iranian Air Force and two inspectors from Qavam’s office would leave for Azerbaijan Friday to ascertain whether Soviet troops had left Iranian soil. Qavam said it would obviously be impossible for them to make definitive report by May 20, even if they were allowed to conduct investigation at all. I urged him to send factual report of exact status of matter to Ala by May 20. Qavam agreed to do so.
I pointed out that Security Council might again defer Iranian case until say June 1. Qavam said that would be “all right”.
It seems to me very unlikely that Security Council will receive any definitive report from Iranian Govt on Soviet troops for some time, due to difficulties which Iranian officials will experience from Azerbaijan govt in making thorough investigation.
[Page 464]While it is difficult for me to suggest what period of time Security Council should allow for Iranian Govt to obtain information regarding Soviet troops, there is some advantage in having definite date set on which the Council will consider the matter again. If no date is set, Iranian Govt is under no specific pressure to obtain information or report.
During my official call on the Soviet Ambassador this morning I asked him outright whether Soviet troops had left Iran. His answer was as follows: “The last Soviet military unit left Iran on May 5 and there are no more Soviet troops in Iran. The Soviet Govt fulfilled entirely its agreement with the Iranian Govt on this subject.” The latter sentence is not correct since Soviet units were still in Iran as late as May 9 or 10 but I now believe all uniformed troops have left.
Sent Dept 698; repeated Moscow 196 and Paris.