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Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Middle Eastern Affairs (Minor)
The Iranian Ambassador called today at his own request. He referred to a telegram he sent last week to Prime Minister Qavam urging [Page 487] that the Prime Minister take a strong line vis-à-vis the Russians and the Azerbaijanis, and that he keep the Iranian case before the Security Council. The Ambassador then gave a summary of a reply he received yesterday from the Prime Minister. This telegram reiterated the Prime Minister’s previous messages to the effect he is resolved to follow a policy of conciliation with the Russians. The Prime Minister declared in strong terms that the Ambassador’s action before the Security Council had caused him the greatest embarrassment. As a result of this the Prime Minister stated that henceforth Mr. Ala was to confine his activities to acting as Iranian Ambassador to the United States. The Ambassador was to take no action before the Security Council. The Prime Minister stated that if matters are to be taken up with the Security Council, the Iranian Government will “find some other means of doing it.”
The Ambassador stated he was not surprised at this action by Qavam. He had expected this and had even anticipated that he might be dismissed as Ambassador. He said that he had taken this risk with his eyes open and had decided that he must speak out clearly in protection of the interests of his country. Ambassador Ala again urged that the Department take a strong line in the Security Council in protection of Iranian interests.