740.00119 Council/4–1047: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
urgent
1296. Delsec 1415. For Acheson from Marshall. Secdel 14271 is subject. I concur in Department views expressed to British representatives in paragraph 3 of referenced message.
I realize the situation is a delicate one, but in order to follow more closely the line the US has previously taken and the views we have expressed to the British, I suggest the following rewording of our informal suggestions to the Iranian Government:
“If pressed for our opinion on Soviet arrangement, we should inform Iranian Government that we feel it should make its own decisions free [Page 905] from foreign influence. If Majlis decides to go ahead with arrangements it should carefully examine the arrangement to ensure that as finally concluded it contains the safeguards necessary to protect against abuses of Iran’s sovereignty and independence. If Majlis rejects arrangement, it might be advisable for Iranian Government concurrently to announce that it has no intention of granting oil concession at this time covering the northern provinces and that Majlis decision is taken without prejudice to eventual negotiation with Soviets for commercial rights in this area.”