761.91/5–1547: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
379. Renewal of intensive Soviet activity in Azerbaijan is reported by several sources including Kurdish contacts and Iran Majlis candidate who has just returned from three month tour of Province. Sources state that there recently has been renewed activity among former Democrat elements, lending weight to one report that reorganization of Democrat Party as underground force may be underway. This latter report gives detailed plan for such reorganization, stating that former Fidayis,1 certain Muhajirs,2 who fled Iran with Pishevari last [Page 911] December and who since have returned to Iran, and number of recently arrived Soviet Caucasians have been grouping in regions west of Astara near Soviet border, particularly in Khalkhal, Maku and Khoi districts. These elements are said to be well armed. Majlis candidate referred to above states that through former Democrat friends he visited three recently established headquarters of ex-Democrats; also adds that he was interviewed by Soviet Consul General Krasnik of Tabriz who offered him “all possible support” if he would assist in “democratization” of Azerbaijan.
Certain sub-tribes of Jagali Kurds (Muku region) are reported harboring considerable numbers of Muhajirs and Soviet agents, in return receiving quantities of rifles and ammunition from Soviets. Northward movement of Barzanis3 reported in Embtel 217, March 244 is said to have been instigated by Soviets for purpose of joining reorganized Democrat Partisan movement.
Tehran press in past two weeks has been agitating against reported influx of Muhajirs from Soviet Union and population of Tabriz last week staged demonstration protesting same situation. Iran Army denies any large scale infiltration across border but admits some small groups may have passed over Araxes River into Iran. On the other hand American Gendarmerie Mission officers just back from Tabriz report border control virtually non-existent except at such points as Julfa and Astara and state that large scale movement of Soviet Caucasians into Iran is not at all impossible. Same officers report Azerbaijan peasants being conditioned for possible return of Democrats by failure of Iran Government to take any measures to alleviate their desperate poverty and by Government’s support of landlord class in province.
While Embassy does not place full credence in these reports it is believed that Soviets have not given up hope of regaining control of Azerbaijan, and that if peaceful political penetration of province is prevented by Majlis rejection of Soviet oil concession, Soviet may resume much more active interference in Azerbaijan and may possibly try to create guerrilla warfare situations similar to that in Greece.
Repeated London 57, Baghdad 57. Department pass Moscow 46 and Ankara 12.
- Civil armed volunteers of the Soviet-supported Jafar Pishevari régime in Azerbaijan prior to its overthrow by armed forces of the Iranian Government In December 1946.↩
- Immigrants into Iranian Azerbaijan from the Caucasus regions of the Soviet Union.↩
- Kurdish tribal elements, native to northern Iraq, led by Mullah Mustafa Barzani.↩
- Not printed.↩