Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Iran, 1951–1954, Volume X

888.2553/10–451: Telegram

No. 104
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State ¹

top secret
niact

London , October 4, 1951—1 p.m.

1633. Referring to mytel 1632² earlier this morning, I should like to express my concern about … Secretary’s message to Morrison.³

. . . . . . .

…I have taken liberty of recasting message … and would appreciate Dept’s advising me urgently by phone or cable whether my suggestions are acceptable, in which event, I shall deliver message promptly, in person if possible:

“I wish to thank you for your message of Sept 30 which was delivered to the Dept by Amb Franks.⁴ First of all I want to assure you that we are fully aware of the great difficulties which you face in your efforts to find a solution to the Iranian problem and I wish to reiterate our sincere desire to be helpful in this connection.

Our representatives at the UN are, I think, working out the difficult problems involved in finding the form of resolution which could be adopted by the SC. I hope that we can all settle on a resolution which will meet your basic requirements, be acceptable to the majority of the Council and avoid in itself an irrevocable freezing of the Iranian attitude.

The SC’s consideration of the problem is, of course, of great importance but I believe that of paramount importance is a fair and satisfactory settlement between your country and Iran. I fear if Mossadeq in debate presents his case in the way to be expected, the Iranian position may become so firm as to make any solution impossible in time to save the situation. It therefore seems to me that some prompt move leading to a resumption of negotiations which might forestall debate in the SC is vital. I do not have any firm ideas at the present time as to how such a resumption might be brought about except for those contained in the message conveyed to you by Amb Gifford on Sept 29 but it occurs to me that your colleagues may have some suggestions to make. If this is the case, we should be most happy to help in any way we can.

In conclusion, I wish to repeat my very great concern over this problem and my hope that an early and satisfactory solution can be found.”⁵

Gifford

1. Repeated to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations and to Tehran.
2. Telegram 1632 reported that Gifford was withholding the delivery of a message from Secretary Acheson to Morrison (text in footnote 3, below) until the Department of State had received his views. (888.2553/10–451)

3. Transmitted in telegram 1812 to London, Oct. 3, this message reads:

   “First of all I want to assure you that I and my colleagues are fully aware of the great difficulties which you face on the Iranian problem. It is our earnest desire that a solution be found.

   “I want you to know, too, that we admire your courage in taking the decision to authorize the withdrawal of the personnel from Abadan which we are sure was not easy for you.

   “Our representatives at the United Nations are, I think, working out the difficult problem involved in finding the form of resolution which could be adopted by the Security Council. I hope that we can all settle on a resolution which will meet your basic requirements, be acceptable to the majority of the Council and avoid in itself an irrevocable freezing of the Iranian situation.

   “The Security Council’s consideration of the problem is, of course, of great importance but I believe that of paramount importance is a fair and satisfactory settlement between your country and Iran. I hope that you and your colleagues are giving careful consideration to the ideas contained in the message conveyed to you on September 29. [See Document 96.]

   “It also seems to me that some prompt move leading to a resumption of negotiations which might forestall debate in the SC is vital. I fear if Mosadeq in debate presents his case in the way to be expected, the Iranian position may become so firm as to make any solution impossible in time to save the situation.

   “In conclusion, I wish to repeat my very great concern over this problem and my hope that an early and mutually satisfactory solution can be found.” (888.2553/10–351)

   On the same day the Department transmitted to Gifford the text of a message under consideration for President Truman to send to Prime Minister Attlee. It reviewed the seriousness of the situation as seen from Washington, stated that the submission of the case to the Security Council had consolidated Mosadeq’s position at home, and indicated that the President would give full and immediate consideration to any proposal for decisive action that would reverse the trend of the situation. (Telegram 1816; 888.2553/10–351) Gifford replied on Oct. 4 that this draft message would be held in abeyance until he had talked with Morrison. (Telegram 1634; 888.2553/10–451)

4. See footnote 2, Document 99.
5. This telegram was received in the Department of State at 9:47 a.m., Oct. 4, and at 1:07 p.m. the Department transmitted the revised text to London with approval for delivery to Morrison. (Telegram 1819; 888.2553/10–451)