891.00/6–546: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Tabriz (Rossow) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received June 7—6:57 a.m.]
183. Following is summary of political situation this district:
There has been no lessening of Soviet penetration of Azerbaijan govt and Democratic Party. At present this penetration consists chiefly of tutelage and instruction on high level policy, and control of political security thru strategic placement of personnel who are plainly of Soviet origin. Latter personnel are continually observed on streets in Azerbaijan uniforms or in civilian clothes and can be identified not only by their constant use of Russian language but frequently by features, for numbers of them are obvious north Russian types, although Soviet Caucasians are in the majority. All observers also agree that Soviet railroad personnel, who wear uniforms of military type, have been at least tripled for no known reason. Popular belief is that they are Soviet political agents.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All reports, supported by analysis of recent public pronouncements, indicate that Soviet Union has instructed Azerbaijan Govt to come [Page 495] to terms with Tehran.58 Both Azerbaijan Govt and Soviet Union appear to have adopted a definitely defensive policy now with respect to Azerbaijan problem. Timing of this shift of policy together with reports of explanations from within party and Azerbaijan Govt, and press attacks against US, show plainly that it resulted from strong American stand at Security Council coupled with strong attitude of world press. Everyone here gives US full credit for this weakening of Azerbaijan Soviet policy, and bitterness of party and government hierarchy against US has accordingly increased. This has produced a series of violent editorial attacks against US, coupled with protestations of Azerbaijan govt’s innocence and altruism, and continually reiterated insistence that Azerbaijan problem is internal affair. Propaganda crudely follows straight line.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sent Dept 183; Tehran 179; Moscow 120; London 56.
- Information of a similar character had been given to Ambassador Allen by the Iranian Prime Minister on June 1 (telegram 791, June 1, 4 p.m., from Tehran, not printed).↩