788.5/5–2350: Telegram
The Chief of the Joint United States Military Aid Group to Greece (Van Fleet) to the Secretary of State
1410. From Van Fleet to CSGPO and to State Department info Ambassador Wiley Tehran. Reference State Department cable 905 dated 19 May 1950,1 following summary submitted State Department, information to US Ambassador, Tehran.
While in Iran I attended three conferences of interest to State and Defense Departments, all requested by Iranians and coordinated with US Embassy. A brief verbal account was given at the time to US Chargé d’Affaires.
First conference Tuesday 9 May, 1000 hours at office Minister of War. Present—General Yazdanpanah, Minister of War, General Razmara, Chief of Staff, Lt. General Van Fleet and Colonel Drury, Army Attaché. The Minister of War covered the strength and organization of the Iranian Army, including the major portion of the gendarmerie which operates under the army. He then covered the strategic position of Iran in the Middle East and of its great importance. General Razmara covered the topography of the country emphasizing the military value of the mountains along the northern frontier. He covered more in detail the organization of the army into 10 divisions and 3 independent [Page 553] brigades and of a light frontier force along the northern border. He emphasized the great extent of their border with Russia and the inability of the Iranian Army to effectively control any deliberate advance. He then covered the type of fighting that they would employ, stating that the army would fight a delaying action and when overrun, take to the mountains; that he himself would command the resistance movement in the northern part of the country and the Shah would take personal command of the resistance in the south. General Razmara stated there were excellent tribal army relations and that he felt certain the tribes would be loyal to the Shah and army. He expressed satisfaction with the American equipment which was being received and stated its great value to the army. He expressed desire to send Iranian officers to military schools in America. General Van Fleet expressed his thanks for the information conveyed to him and reminded them that he was in Iran solely in the capacity of representative of the President at the funeral of the Reza Shah, and had no authority as regards the military situation. When asked for an opinion General Van Fleet expressed favorable opinion as to what they had told him and stated that he would be glad to report the subject matter of the conference to the US Embassy in Iran and to officials in Washington.
Second conference Tuesday 9 May 1730 hours at Bank Melli, Iran. Present—Mr. A. H. Ebtehaj, Governor Bank Melli, Iran and Lt. General Van Fleet. Mr. Ebtehaj stated he was particularly anxious to talk to me because he was out of the country at the time of General Collins’ visit and therefore unable to speak to the US Army Chief of Staff. He wanted particularly to outline the difficult economic position which Iran was now facing which has been made worse by last year’s crop failure. He mentioned a seven year program for the economic and social development of Iran and stated that he had great hopes that this plan would soon be placed into effect. He said that it was his responsibility to put over this plan financially but that the country could not carry the load for both an economic program and an increased military program. He emphasized repeatedly that Iran could carry either the military or the economic load but not both and therefore, he wished to express the urgent need for adequate military aid from the United States. He used a figure of 50 million dollars, making a point that the aid must be adequate to be effective. He stated that Iran had made a big mistake in asking for so small a loan for the purchase of military equipment and that he was now embarrassed that the total cost, including preparation and shipment, was much more and he spoke of their present financial difficulty in making the first payment. However, he said this would be solved; that it was his [Page 554] problem and that he was sure he could cope with it. General Van Fleet advised Mr. Ebtehaj that his discussion was all very interesting; that he Was not familiar with the situation but that he would, of course, be glad to convey his views to the US Embassy and to the officials in Washington. Mr. Ebtehaj went on to state that military aid needed in Iran included clothing and shoes as well as military equipment. General Van Fleet then explained to him that while shoes and clothing had been supplied to Greece in the early days, they were no longer being supplied, and that it was the policy of Washington and the ECA that Greece should manufacture her own shoes and clothing and that this policy is now being placed in effect in Greece. Therefore, it seemed logical that the same plan should be adopted in Iran.
The third conference took place on Wednesday 10 May at 1730 hours at the Shah’s house. Present—His Majesty the Shah of Iran, Governor Ebtehaj, Lt. General Van Fleet and Lt. Van Fleet, Jr. The Shah reviewed the position of his country in the Middle East, emphasizing its great strategic position and the fact that its oil fields and those of Irak would be the Russian target. He expressed the view that it would be needless to strengthen Turkey in the middle or Greece on the western flank as long as the Russians could envelop the eastern flank most readily and go directly to the oil fields and on to both the Persian Gulf and the Suez Canal. He stated that there were three main routes through Iran plus an envelopment through Irak. He covered the war plans briefly by stating that the border troops would fight and fall back giving maximum delaying action through the passes to permit the mobile troops to counterattack and if the Russians have over-extended themselves and for the mountain tribes to inflict maximum resistance on supply routes. He stated that his army needed armor and artillery and adequate supplies placed at strategic locations in support of the mobile army in its counterattack and for the resistance movement to be carried on in the mountains. He stated that his country was, of course, very backward and needed many reforms and a much better social and economic condition for the people as a whole. He stated that he was hoping that these reforms would be passed but that he was meeting with opposition from some of the large landowners.
The Shah stated that the overwhelming majority of the people are against Communism and will fight a Russian infiltration or invasion. He mentioned that there was a very hostile but small opposition which was continuously stating that Iran should be incorporated with their big, close neighbor to the north and not with the west. He said they were constantly broadcasting the fact that England and the United [Page 555] States had not given any assistance and that he, himself, had recently come home from a visit empty-handed. He stated he hoped that some aid would be announced at an early date so as to put a stop to this hostile propaganda. The Shah stated that Iran could not financially support a large military establishment and at the same time give an economic uplift to the people. He said that the people must be given a better life or some of them might be induced to side with the north. At the same time they need more military assistance or the country could not adequately resist the Russians, that both the economic and the military program could not be done at the same time by Iran and therefore, he hoped that the United States would grant effective aid to Iran the same as they had done for Turkey and for Greece. Mr. Ebtehaj reminded the Shah that he had already covered this matter with General Van Fleet and that Iran could carry either the economic or the military program but not both. General Van Fleet asked the Shah if the people would make effective use of the aid as the Greeks have done. He replied that he was absolutely certain that every piece of equipment would be wisely and effectively used and that his people, including the tribes, could be counted upon to remain loyal. He stated that the situation along the border was generally quiet and that the Russians had withdrawn when it was made clear to them that Iran would fight for her independence. General Van Fleet asked if the Russians infiltrated agents across the border into the mountains and Shah replied that had been tried and most of them had been detected and executed and that he was certain that any future attempt would also be detected because the tribes are quick to recognize strangers who come into the areas.
Shah requested that I convey to the United States Government the urgent need of military assistance and the great importance which Iran plays on the eastern flank of the Middle East. General Van Fleet advised the Shah that his views would be conveyed to the US Embassy and to Washington but that he was in Iran solely in the capacity of representative of the President at the funeral of his father. The Shah expressed the hope that he had witnessed the devotion of the people to his father and had become acquainted with the great good which his father had accomplished during his reign. General Van Fleet replied that the spirit and devotion of the people to the Crown was very evident.
The US Embassy in Tehran is making formal report of the funeral of the late Reza Shah, the Great. I have not deemed it necessary to duplicate this report but will submit a further report upon receipt of copies of the Tehran report.
- Not printed (telegram 9 from Tehran to Athens); in it Wiley asked Van Meet for summaries of his conversations with the Shah and other Iranian officials during his visit to Iran for the funeral of Reza Shah on May 7. (788.00/5–1950)↩