252. Memorandum From the Chief of the Iran Branch, Near East and Africa Division, Directorate of Plans (Waller) to Director of Central Intelligence Dulles1
SUBJECT
- Results of conversation with Mr. Jernegan re statement to be made by The Secretary of State at latter’s Press Conference July 28
1. Mr. Jernegan stated that the wording given below would represent an effective and appropriate answer by The Secretary of State to a planted query during the Secretary’s July 28 Press Conference:
“Recent developments in Iran, especially the growing activity of the supposedly illegal Communist Party which appears to be tolerated by the Iranian government, have caused us concern. These developments make it even more difficult for the United States to consider any increase in assistance to Iran.2
2. Mr. Jernegan stated that he and/or Assistant Secretary Byroade would discuss the above proposed statement with the Secretary of State. They would also discuss the mechanics by which the proposed newsman’s query can best be planted prior to the Secretary’s news conference.
3. I stated that final planting of the query should await word from me since we were momentarily expecting Teheran’s reaction to the pro [Page 639] posed statement by the Secretary of State and do not want to go ahead without benefit of this reaction.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DDO Files, Job 80–01701R, Box 3, Folder 8, TPAJAX Vol. II. Top Secret.↩
- The phrase “consider any increase in assistance to Iran” in the quote has been edited by hand to read: “give further consideration of aid to a government which tolerates such activity.” Dulles made substantially this statement at his press conference on July 28. The text of the statement is printed in Department of State Bulletin, August 10, 1953, p. 178. ↩
- Printed from a copy that bears these typed initials. At the end of the memorandum is a handwritten note, apparently by Dulles, that reads: “further consideration of aid to a Govt tolerating such activity.”↩