891.24/6–849: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
776. Following is text in translation of note dated June 7, 1949, with enclosures, which I have just received from Prime Minister Saed. Note is numbered 3533:
[“]My Dear Ambassador: I have previously furnished Your Excellency with the pertinent background explanation of what follows. You are well aware to what extent Iran (in view of her) geographical and political circumstances is today in imperative need of military and economic assistance to enable her with forces that should as far as possible be well equipped with modern matériel to resist and stand up to any undesirable development which might en danger the territorial integrity and political independence of the Iranian people.
During your period of residence in Iran and as a result of your studies of Iran’s geographical position, Your Excellency has well realized the delicate situation of Iran. You have learned the importance of Iran not only so far as her domestic situation is concerned but also (because of) her impact in international affairs. You know well that Iran in this part of the world is the advance guard of the democratic and free nations of the world. This being the case, the Iranian nation has the right to expect from the great people of the United States who are the protectors and supporters of human freedom and civilization, immediate and gratuitous assistance in order to protect her integrity and independence and fulfill her international duties.
You will notice that the appendix to this letter is a list of the immediate essential military needs of Iran. The minimum articles which may be used in one year have been noted therein. It goes without saying that in view of the speed with which progress is made in military techniques, every year the quality and quantity of such needs will naturally change and other lists should be prepared for future years in consultation with experts.
I trust Your Excellency will be so kind as to draw the attention of the US Government to the importance of this subject and to the necessity [Page 529] for granting this immediate assistance. I am sure that with your knowledge of the importance of the situation and the dangerous and delicate position of Iran and your personal knowledge of the limited financial capacity of Iran, you will be so kind as to take expeditious, prompt and efficacious measures in this respect and thus oblige the Iran Government.
I avail myself of the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.1 Signed Mohammad Saed.”
[Here follow the requirements for an army of 200,000 men, comprising list 1, which detailed ordnance for the artillery, munitions for arms and hand weapons, and equipment for the Engineering Department; lists 2–5 for automotive, quartermaster, medical, and air force equipment, respectively; and list 6, which detailed arms, ammunition, uniforms, etc., to equip 100,000 tribesmen. Some 129 items were set forth in the six lists.]
Comment follows.
Please pass to Armed Forces.
- Ambassador Wiley, on June 9, gave his view
that the “Note clearly stems from Shah and General Razmara,
Chief of Staff. Though in preparing this note Shah and
General Razmara could have had most loyal and careful
collaboration from chiefs of two American military missions,
little or no advantage was taken thereof.” (Telegram 778,
from Tehran, 891.24/6–949)
In a conversation with the Shah on June 13, Ambassador Wiley took note of the very high sights set by the Iranian monarch on the extent of military assist ance. He informed the Department that he “tried to dampen his enthusiasm without discouraging him, pointing out value of establishing principle of direct aid, even if initial allotment comparatively small.” He advised also that the Shah continued to be partial to tanks and jet planes but that “His thinking this regard is strictly in never never land.” (Telegram 807 from Tehran, 891.001 Pahlavi, Reza Shah/6–1449) Prime Minister Saed’s lists, incidentally, included 100 M–4 tanks and 100 M–24 light tanks, but made no mention of jet planes.
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