788.5/4–2352: Telegram
No. 172
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State
niact
4068. 1. Because delays in transmission and garbled condition Deptel 2312, April 21 answer to Embtel 4024, April 19 deciphered only late this morning. Saw Mosadeq early afternoon. Found him apparently greatly disturbed re current political and financial sitn. This subject another tel.1 Said he already under severe fire several directions because his decision accept US mil aid and compelled at present critical juncture move with greatest care.
2. He accepted with reluctance Dept’s suggestion substitution word “welcomes”. First asked if we wld not agree to “accepts”. I said probably if he wld add “gladly” or “with pleasure”. Otherwise connotation was US pressing Iran accept aid. He apparently preferred Dept’s suggestion. At my suggestion Mosadeq agreed to fol change in English translation third para his note to me:
“Iran supports and defends the principles of the Charter of the UN to the extent that its resources and general conditions permit.”
3. I then showed him my proposed reply which after acknowledging his note added: “and take pleasure in informing Your Excellency that US Govt has authorized me state it is resuming extension military aid Iran”. He suggested deletion word “military”. I said with such deletion exchange wld make no sense, US already giving Iran econ aid. He then said no answer necessary. In any event he did not wish word “military” used in text of notes. This wld add to his troubles. I finally agreed tentatively to reply as fols:
“I have read Your Excellency’s note to me of Apr (blank), 1952 and take pleasure in informing Your Excellency that I am apprising the Govt of the US of its contents.
“Accept, Excellency, etc.”
4. I then gave him copy Dept’s suggested press release. He objected strenuously, particularly to words “mil,” “assurances,” and “qualify”. Said no communiqués necessary. Publication of notes wld be sufficient. I said publication of notes as now drafted without [Page 377] any indication of resumption mil aid wld lead to unnecessary speculation and wld attract more attention than mere factual statement mil aid being resumed. After considerable discussion we tentatively agreed:
- (a)
- Iran communiqué wld consist merely text of notes,
- (b)
- US communiqué wld read as fols:
“Fol an exchange of notes on Apr (blank), 1952, between the Prime Minister of Iran and the Amb of the US to Iran, it has been decided that mil assist from the US to Iran shld be resumed. Shipments of mil supplies by the Govt of the US will be resumed as soon as possible.
“The notes referred to above read as fols: (text of notes).”
5. I told Prime Minister that in replying to press inquiries and in communicating with Congress, spokesmen for State Dept wld make US and Iran look ridiculous if they failed frankly to state significance of exchange. He said he realized that outside context communiqué State Dept officials might be obliged make certain explanations. He hoped, however, they cld use words such as “statements” instead of “assurances,” and “entitled to” instead of “qualified” in discussing matter with press or Congress. I told him I was sure State Dept wld be discreet as possible and endeavor not embarrass him or his govt by emphasizing Iran had at last given assurances which US law required.
6. Our agrmts were tentative on both sides. He said he must submit documents I left with him to Cab for final decision and I said I must submit to State Dept. He again asked I not take up matter with Dept until after clearance had been obtained from Cab. Nevertheless, I am doing so in view time element. Even though docs submitted herein not as satisfactory as I wld like I hope Dept can accept them. Apparently Kazemi, FonMin who has vigorously opposed mil aid has been rallying his forces in last attempt block it and Prime Minister is in delicate position because he cannot afford at this critical moment lose support Kashani and Natlist extremist elements for whom Kazemi acts as spokesman.2
7. If Dept desires after communiqués have been published I cld write MFA routine note stating with no ref to exchange of notes between Mosadeq and me that US Govt has authorized me to inform Govt of Iran that it has given instrs for resumption of mil [Page 378] assist to Iran. I wld do this without previous discussion with Mosadeq.
- Not printed.↩
- Henderson reported on Apr. 23 that the Iranian Cabinet had approved all the tentative arrangements described in telegram 4068, with the exception that in the proposed Department of State communiqué the word “resumed” in the sentence ending “Iran should be resumed” be changed to “continued”. (Telegram 4071; 788.5/4–2352)↩