891.20 Mission/10–148: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
1152. Embtel 1119, September 211 Apparently as a result of my conversation with Shah he and General Razmara Chief of Staff studied army mission contract in detail. Two days ago Razmara informed Colonel Sexton that only point of issue was a minor change in Article 4 which is acceptable, and elimination of Article 24 which is, we think, completely unacceptable. Razmara categorically stated that Iranian law required submission of contract to Majlis and due to local political conditions it could not possibly pass. He, speaking for the Shah, suggested submission of present contract less Article 24 to the Majlis with Article 24 being covered by a secret exchange of letters.
I consider such procedure inacceptable and yesterday at lunch with Razmara it was brought out that he was acting under instructions from the Shah who, he reluctantly admitted, opposed Article 24. Unquestionably the Shah’s opposition is based on his hope of obtaining British equipment and instructors as a result of his London conversations. The Shah’s intent apparently is to shop for munitions and although I am convinced there is no Russian influence involved, the Shah is guilty of undue reticence in informing us of his plans and possibly intends if his plans proceed to establish a supplementary British mission here.
It was made plain to Razmara that if our mission is to remain in Iran there would be no change in the mission contract. He was advised that if the Iranians deem it necessary to submit the contract as written to the Majlis, we would certainly make no objection, but that many [Page 185] complications would be avoided if the renewal could be arranged by an executive exchange of letters. He was told that according to our interpretation of the basic act authorizing the mission, further submission to the Majlis is unnecessary. He promised to study the matter and get in touch with Colonel Sexton on Saturday (unquestionably after he has talked to the Shah who returns from Isfahan that day).2
I believe we will get the contract renewed without important changes.
- Not printed, but see footnote 1, p. 182.↩
- Ambassador Wiley
expressed his conclusion, in telegram 1174, October 5, to the
Department that the “crux of matter is Shah’s desire introduce
British Air Mission into Iran in connection his Vampire plane
program.” Later in the same message, he advised of information
from Ambassador Le Rougetel that the British reply to the
Iranian request would be along the following lines: “(a) Due to world situation, short-range
planning is predominate over long-range planning and it is
impossible to state at this time whether Vampires will be
available in 1950 or not. Matter of jet pilot training program
is equally problematical.
“(b) However, British Government desires cooperate with Shah’s wishes in every respect and has placed jet matter before Combined Chiefs of Staff. If Britain is unable furnish jet planes to Iran, possibility their being supplied by US will be explored.
“(c) If at the appropriate time it is determined jets are available from both UK and US, Shah will be free to choose which he prefers.” (891.20 Mission/10–548)
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