788.00/1–850: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
37. Please pass to Armed Forces. Saw Shah2 yesterday. Though in appearance very tired he is full of energy. He plans to have new Majlis convene soonest. This was later confirmed to me by Prime Minister who believes this should be accomplished within a week. Shah delighted with trip to US.3 He was most impressed by President Truman and clearly was handled with greatest tact and understanding both by Department and Pentagon. Believe impact of US on Shah has had most beneficial influence. He seems in a very short time to have matured greatly. He seems genuinely determined now to proceed vigorously on anti-corruption campaign, and reorganization of govt on more effective lines with emphasis on correcting present over-centralization. He gave no inkling of whom he has in mind as next Prime Minister but seemed to feel that Saed4 would step out. He indicated that the aged Hakimi5 would remain on for the present as Minister Court. Understand Chief of Staff General Razmara6 will press Shah for complete absorption gendarmerie into army. Shah indicated that he would not accede but would consider reorganization of gendarmerie as new and separate entity. Only sour note was displeasure manifested over list of requirements for Iran army7 prepared by Gen. Evans,8 Chief Army. Presumably because it falls short [Page 446] of his expectation. On economic matters he indicated seven year plan would proceed with his full support and that Prince Abdorreza9 (Harvard honor graduate) would be his “right arm”. Shah seemed unperturbed by thorny problem AIOC renegotiation. Shah indicated continued interest in reinforcement Saad Abad pact and in enquiring re recent elections in Egypt described King Farouk as a “definitely criminal type.” Apparently Shah is not marrying Miss Ala.
- Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shahanshah of Iran.↩
- For documentation on the Shah’s visit to the United States, November 16–December 30, 1949, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. vi, pp. 589 ff.↩
- Mohammad Saed, Prime Minister of Iran.↩
- Ibrahim Hakimi, Iranian Minister of Court.↩
- Lt. Gen. Ali Razmara, Chief of the Iranian General Staff.↩
- For previous documentation of the question of U.S. military aid for Iran, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. vi, pp. 471 ff.↩
- Maj. Gen. Vernon Evans, Chief of the United States Military Mission with the Iranian Army.↩
- Prince Abdor Beza Palilavi, half-brother of the Shah of Iran.↩