18. Memorandum From the Assistant Director for Policy Coordination, Directorate of Plans (Wisner) to the Deputy Director for Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Dulles)1
SUBJECT
- Special Iranian Program
1. As part of our emergency program for Iran, consideration has been given to a direct subsidy to the Prime Minister to enable him to strengthen the hand of his supporters and confound his enemies. The State Department had given preliminary approval to this suggestion pending clarification of the Iranian political situation and approval of our Ambassador.
2. The OPC “task force” now in Tehran has cabled stating that the Ambassador agrees that the time is now ripe for action and has authorized an independent OPC approach to Ala with an offer of [dollar amount not declassified] to be used entirely at his discretion. Speedy action is urged in view of the severe test which the Prime Minister will face this week when he presents his Finance Bill.
3. Steps are being taken to obtain final policy approval from Deputy Under Secretary Matthews and to consider the desirability of coordinating our approach to Ala with that which Ambassador Grady should shortly be authorized to take presenting an official US aid program.
4. We propose that the initial payment should be [dollar amount not declassified]. Before approaching Ala OPC Tehran would like assurance that the full sum will be authorized and that the first installment will reach them as soon as possible.
5. It is therefore requested that you authorize the immediate disbursement of [dollar amount not declassified] and the additional expenditure, if results warrant, of [dollar amount not declassified] during the fiscal year 1952.2
6. This operation obviously requires special security measures, and will be handled on “Eyes Only” basis among those who need to know of it. In view of Ala’s elevated position and personal sensitivity, [Page 70] we propose to request no receipt from him, nor any detailed accounting for the expenditure of the funds.