891.011/2–149: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Iran 1
us urgent
85. Supplementing Deptel 84 Feb. 1: Brit Emb Rep on instruction FonOff read Dept Jan. 31 Le Rougetel2 report Shah’s plan issue decree this week calling Constituent Assembly amend Constitution, FonOff disposed accept Le Rougetel recommendations he be instructed (1) inquire Shah whether focal Iranian Cabinet and Majlis figures have been consulted, (2) take occasion discourage proposed action on basis present time ill chosen for series national polls, and (3) advise Shah implementation present Constitution provision re Senate should precede attempt obtain amendment basic laws. FonOff desired Dept views and expressed desirability parallel US–UK representations.
Dept indicated agreement Le Rougetel views and undertook re quest Emb Tehran consult Le Rougetel re concerting US–UK conversations with Shah. Dept expressed additional views: (1) introduction by Shah contentious issue at this time would upset possibility favorable Majlis action on pending Seven-year plan legislation and (2) internal dissension Iran might have serious effect abroad by exposing Iran to predatory Soviet designs and greatly decreasing ability US and UK support Iran. Brit Emb and Dept agreed that even introduction subject Senate might have unfortunate effect upon pending Majlis legislation but that sympathetic attitude toward implementation present Constitution might be necessary tactic discourage Shah from more grandiose scheme at this time.
Consult closely with Le Rougetel with view to urgent, energetic representations Shah along above lines.
Wiley concurs.