761.91/7–548: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
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772. Personal for Loy Henderson—no distribution in Department. ReEmbtels 758, July 2,1 and 770, July 4. Have thought over; (1) suggestion [Page 155] of Shah that treaty of 1921 with Soviet Union be denounced on grounds UN Charter supersedes; and (2) enquiry of Prime Minister whether (a) Iran should respond to Sadchikov’s representations with firmness or (b) by stalling and playing for time.
My feeling is that I ought to inject as much spirit of polite resistance as possible into present Iranian attitude towards USSR.
Perhaps Iranian firmness might help; certainly Iranian weakness could only hinder. To be specific, I would like to let Shah know, of course, quite discreetly, that Sadchikov’s representations furnish not merely pretext but urgent motive for denouncing Articles V and VI of Treaty of 1921, and to lead Prime Minister to think that his thought of “keeping door half open” with Russians is dangerous in that his alternative idea of complete but reasonable firmness is what situation requires.
Tuesday I am lunching with Razmara, am seeing Prime Minister at four and Shah at five. Would therefore be grateful for guidance soonest.
- Not printed; it conveyed the Shah’s suggestion outlined under (1) in this paragraph (891.00/7–248).↩