Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

CFM Files, Lot M–88, Box 149, May FM Meeting C, D Series

Paper Prepared by the Officer in Charge of Iranian Affairs (Ferguson)¹

secret
[FM D D–8/1]

[Washington,] May 3, 1950.

May Foreign Ministers Meeting Supplement to Position Paper on Iran²

problem

Subsequent to the preparation of the position paper on Iran for discussions with the British delegation at the forthcoming Foreign Ministers meeting, the British Embassy in Washington informed the Department that it had received from the British Embassy at Tehran a suggestion that at the conclusion of the meeting a communiqué be issued on the Iranian question designed for Iranian consumption. Our Embassy at Tehran has made a similar suggestion as has the Iranian Ambassador here.

discussion

The British suggest that this communiqué repeat the interest of the two countries in the independence and territorial integrity of Iran and go on to take note of and endorse the general expression of opinion in Iran that the Seven Year Program must be prosecuted urgently, that the administrative practices of the Iranian Government be modernized, and that steps be taken to improve the living conditions of agricultural workers.

The Department’s thinking is that such a statement would do little good and might do some harm. If we can include in it some reference to the United States assistance to Iran which has been decided upon and if the British could include some reference to their willingness to reach a final understanding with the Iranians on the Anglo-Iranian Oil Concession question, it would be most valuable and could serve as a useful lever in effecting the reforms we both so desire the Iranians to take. However, without such sweetening such a statement will be regarded as (1) a mere repetition of earlier general statements which the Iranians believe identify them with the Western camp in the cold war without their receiving adequate compensation for the risks involved in such an association and (2) an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of Iran.

recommendation

It is recommended that a statement not be issued unless it contains a reference to our intention of rendering economic assistance to Iran. Should the British find it possible also to offer something in exchange for the reforms demanded of the Iranians, it would be even more valuable. This need not be any commitment to give the Iranians greater oil royalties but could be merely a statement that in full awareness of the serious situation in Iran, HMG is willing to discuss with the Iranians on a frank and equal basis any and all points at issue between the two countries whose resolution could help improve the situation in Iran. It is also recommended that any communiqué that may be issued contain British support for the expressed aims of the United States aid programs.³

1. This paper was prepared to cover suggestions from the British and Iranian Embassies in Washington and the U.S. Embassy, Tehran, that a communication designed for Iranian consumption be issued at the conclusion of the meetings of the Foreign Ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, at London, May 1950. For documentation on these meetings, including discussion on Iran with the British Delegation, see vol. iii, pp. 828 ff.
2. Position paper on Iran, April 27, p. 529.
3. Regarding the statements, May 19, by Secretary Acheson and Foreign Secretary Bevin following the London Foreign Ministers meetings on their interest in the security of Greece, Turkey, and Iran, see footnote 2, p. 1264.