761.91/7–448: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
2681. Brit Emb Rep called at Dept July 8 on instruction FonOff to discuss Bevin’s draft instructions to Creswell in situation posed by Sadchikov’s recent representations to Hajir. Creswell had reported fully his conversation with Hajir along lines urtel 770, July 4, including Hajir’s request for advice, and asked FonOff guidance. Bevin1 desired that Brit reply to Iranian Govt be in line with any suggestions US might make to Iranians.
Substance Bevin’s draft instructions follow: While he is reluctant to give advice to Iranian Govt, he wishes to avoid appearance of rebuffing Iranian PriMin in present circumstances. He would advise PriMin that (1) Iran Govt be “extremely cautious” in considering further conversations with Soviet Amb concerning oil concession and ask “what specifically Soviet Govt proposes” as remedy for alleged Iranian damage to Soviet prestige; and (2) Iranian Govt might properly continue trade discussions with Soviet Amb, insisting of course upon Soviet Govt meeting its outstanding obligations to Iran.
Dept conveyed substance part 2 Deptel 628, July 5, explaining that prior discussion with Brit was impracticable in view of desirability giving Emb Tehran guidance before interviews scheduled July 6. Observing upon Bevin’s draft instructions, Dept commented that while there was apparent agreement between Brit and US concerning propriety continuing Soviet-Iranian trade talks in Tehran, there would appear to be difference of opinion concerning choice of alternative courses of Iranian action posed by Hajir. Dept expressed its understanding Iranian oil policy had been made clear in Majlis Law of Oct. 1947 and its belief that no useful purpose would be served by Iranians pursuing that subject in further conversations with Soviet Amb. In view of recent disturbing developments in Iran-Soviet relations, Dept believed it highly important Iranian Govt continue maintain “fixed, [Page 160] clear, and definite” policy of standing up for its independence by resisting Soviet pressure.
In this connection, Dept expressed informally its concern over reported Brit FonOff belief that Soviet Govt did not appear to be very interested in Iran at present moment. Dept believed, on contrary, that situation deserved constant scrutiny of western powers interested in security of Iran. In premises, therefore, Iran would be ill-advised to permit even appearance of willingness to compromise its independence by discussing with Soviet Amb at this time USSR desire for oil concession in Iran.
In course of above conversation, Dept referred to Shah’s suggestion that Iran denounce 1921 Treaty and cited reasons listed in Deptel 628, July 5, for Dept’s disagreement with that suggestion.
Sent London 2681 rpt Tehran 652 Moscow 794.
- Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩