761.91/4–1548
The Ambassador of the Soviet Union in Iran (Sadchikov) to the Iranian Prime Minister (Hakimi)1
The Soviet Government does not consider convincing the statements of the Iranian Government regarding the American Military Advisers in Iran, which allege that these advisers do not hold key posts, nor do they have authority to direct affairs in the Iranian Ministry of War or other military Departments. It is the Soviet view that these statements are without foundation which is evident from the contents of the Irano-American Agreement of October, 1947, which stipulates “co-operation with the Iranian Ministry of War and men of the Iranian Army for the purpose of increasing the fighting capacity of the Iranian Army.” The facts mentioned in the Soviet note of January 31 show that the role of the American military advisors is one of leadership in the Iranian Army.
In connection with the attempt of the Iranian Government to deny the facts mentioned in the Soviet note of January 31 as stated in the Iranian note,2 the Soviet Government must point out that in the year 1941 the Iranian Government also tried to deny the existence of foreign agents in Iran whose activities were directed against the Soviet Union, although these activities were apparent to all.
The claim of the Iranian Government that “the Americans have not monopolized the right to occupy key military posts in Iran” is also contrary to fact. Furthermore this claim of the Iranian Government is contrary to Article 24 of the American agreement which says “during the time this agreement is in force or in case of its renewal, the Iranian [Page 126] Government will not allow the nationals of any other foreign governments to enter the Iranian army unless this is specifically agreed to by the American and the Iranian Governments”.
The Soviet Government considers as an injurious fairy tale and rejects the statements of the Iranian Government which allege that the Soviet authorities have had any part in the Azerbaijan affair, the causes for which affair must be sought in the internal policy of the Iranian Government. But regarding that part of the note, according to which the Iranian Government says that the Soviet Union has given refuge to Iranian subjects who because of their democratic convictions and by reason of their defense of democracy and progress were being persecuted by the Iranian Government, the Soviet Government rejects these charges as being entirely without foundation. The right of giving refuge to foreign subjects who for defending the interest of the world’s laboring class or for scientific activities or for fighting for the national freedom of their particular countries are being persecuted, has been provided for in the constitution of the U.S.S.R. and is being observed by the Soviet Union.
As regards the Iranian allegation that in the Soviet Union Iranian political refugees have been granted permission to form military units for the purpose of attacking Iran and also the allegation that in Soviet territory Iranian political refugees operate a secret radio station—these are provocative fabrications.
The statements regarding the movements of Soviet military units and manoeuvers near the Iranian frontier are nonsense.
The efforts of the Iranian Government to make out that the Soviet note of January 31 is an interference in the internal affairs of Iran must be taken as an endeavor on the part of the Iranian Government to evade political responsibility and this course which is being pursued by the Iranian Government is contrary to good-neighborly relations as provided in the Irano-Soviet treaty of February 26, 1921.
- Translation by the Embassy in Iran based on version appearing in the Tehran press; transmitted to the Department by Tehran in despatch 108, April 15. An earlier rendition, based on a Soviet Embassy news bulletin, was transmitted by Tehran in telegram 318, March 28, not printed. (761.91/3–2848)↩
- Dated February 4, p. 101.↩