891.00/11–846: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 8—1:20 p.m.]
1450. I took Dooher to see Qavam today to give PriMin firsthand information concerning present situation in Azerbaijan. Dooher emphasized that Kurdish leaders particularly Ammar Khan and chiefs of Western Kurds but also including Qazi Mohammad, are strongly opposed to Communism, having been disillusioned by Soviet failures to furnish them promised assistance, and are ready to join Central Govt in attack on Azerbaijan provided they are assured that Tehran Govt will coordinate its military activity with them and will promise that afterwards it will not follow again the repressive tribal policy of Reza Shah.18 Qavam showed great interest in Dooher’s remarks and asked numerous questions about Tabriz govt and leaders. Qavam said he was determined to occupy Zenjan within 10 days, by force if necessary.
I assured Qavam that US had not wavered in its policy of supporting integrity of Iran, in spite of suggestions which had come to me that severance of Azerbaijan from Iran might be preferable to allowing Communist poison permeate Iran. I pointed out, however, that US would hardly be able to continue indefinitely to support Iranian integrity unless Tehran Govt gave evidence of being at least as interested in this subject as we are. Consequently, I welcomed his statement that he would use resources at his command to extend his authority to Zenjan. I said I thought Zenjan was not enough but that it would at least be a start. Qavam said he intended to progress “little by little”.
An American missionary who returned to Tehran yesterday from Tabriz says that Tabriz forces are digging trenches in front of Zenjan and give every appearance of intending to put up strong resistance.
- Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shahanshah of Iran until his abdication in 1941.↩