501.BC/5–2546: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received 4:38 p.m.]
750. Qavam received me immediately following receipt Department’s 451 May 22. In response my opening question regarding his reaction to Security Council’s decision retain Iranian case on agenda he said attitude American delegation pleased him but attitude and remarks of his own delegate had caused him most serious embarrassment and difficulty. He then launched into strong criticism of Ala before I had opportunity to explain purpose my visit.
It seemed evident he felt he had no alternative but to recall Ala in view of impossible position in which Ala’s letter to Security Council of May 20 had placed Qavam. He read me the telegram he had just sent Ala, instructing him categorically to withdraw from Security Council any statements Ala had made beyond his instructions. Qavam said Soviet Ambassador had called on him at 11 p.m. May 21, accusing Qavam of double dealing and hypocrisy. Qavam said Ala’s statements before Security Council on May 22 to effect that Soviet Ambassador had insisted upon Qavam’s accepting unacceptable Azerbaijan demands and that Qavam’s instructions to Ala regarding withdrawal of Soviet troops were inconclusive, had laid Qavam open [Page 481] to proper complaint by Soviet Ambassador of duplicity, since Qavam had assured Sadchikoff he was satisfied ail Soviet troops had left and would report definitively to Council to this effect. Moreover Qavam said that in all fairness he must say that the Soviet Ambassador had never pressed him to accept unacceptable Azerbaijan demands.
I told Qavam that while I could appreciate difficult position in which he found himself, I could say that from close association with Ala over long period, I had never known Ala to refuse to carry out instructions he received from Tehran, however objectionable they might be from his point of view. I referred specifically to Ala’s request that Council drop Iranian case, under instructions in which, Qavam knew, Ala did not concur. I felt confident Ala would carry out loyally any instructions he received and suggested that Qavam might wish to instruct Ala very precisely. Qavam said he had done so three times already, the latest being a few hours previous to our conversation. He had no confidence however that Ala would obey his last instructions any better than previous ones.
He said Soviet Ambassador had complained bitterly against Ala on three occasions, once in the presence of the Shah, and had pointed out that if a Soviet diplomat went beyond his instructions for one minute, he would be recalled immediately.
I then pointed out that Ala’s recall at this time might well do serious harm to Security Council and consequently to Iranian interests. Recall now would be construed as repudiation not only of Ala’s unauthorized statements but everything he had said. Qavam then suggested he might allow Ala to remain as Ambassador in Washington but send separate delegate to United Nations. I said such action at present would be open to same objections as Ala’s recall. I suggested that Qavam might wish to instruct Ala to return to Washington, but without withdrawing his credentials as Representative to United Nations. I agreed to suggest to Department that American delegation in Security Council attempt to arrange matters so that Ala would not be called personally to Council table again in near future. Qavam asked how Iran could express views to Council under such arrangement. I said Ala could communicate with Secretary General in writing whenever Qavam instructed him to do so.
Qavam said my suggestions seemed reasonable. At close of discussion, he agreed not to take any action regarding Ala’s recall at present, and I agreed to make recommendations to Department in foregoing sense.
Meanwhile Tabriz Government continues violent demand for recall and punishment of Ala, and local Tudeh Press is following similar line.
[Page 482]I urge Department to impress on Ala urgent necessity for him confine his remarks to letter of his instructions.