Office of the Historian

891.105A/3–2348: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Tehran

secret
Washington, April 22, 1948—1 p. m.

355. Should FonMin revive subject of deleting command function from Gendarmerie Mission Agreement (urtel 377 and MA 50, Apr. 12), you should adhere to views expressed in Deptels 113, Feb. 5 and 218, Mar. 9. You might wish (1) to remark upon obvious uncertainty Iranian desires in this matter (Embtels 94, Jan. 27; 158, Feb. 91; 285, Mar. 17; 303, Mar. 232; and 377, Apr. 12); (2) to indicate apparent [Page 141] relation between latest statement of Iranian desire to delete command function and current Iranian project to merge Army and Gendarmerie (urtels 390, Apr. 153 and 408, Apr, 194); (3) to state your assumption that contemplated deletion of command function does not represent yielding to Soviet pressure or lack of Iranian appreciation for generally recognized contribution which Schwarzkopf has made to effectiveness of Gendarmerie. If Iranians decide time has come for Iran to resume full command of Gendarmerie, US would not wish to insist upon continuing its assistance in form presently provided by Gendarmerie Agreement, Furthermore, should Iran proceed with merger Army and Gendarmerie, US would feel obliged to reconsider role of Gendarmerie Mission, with possibility of complete withdrawal.

In event you are convinced after your expression of above views that Iranians do, in fact, desire to delete Article 20, effective date should be so timed as to permit simultaneous reassignment Schwarzkopf to other important post presently under consideration.

Sent Tehran 355 rptd Moscow 441.

Lovett
  1. No. 158 not printed, but see first footnote 1, p. 107.↩
  2. Nos. 285 and 303 not printed.↩
  3. Not printed, but see footnote 2, p. 138.↩
  4. Not printed.↩