888.2553/11–1253: Telegram
No. 384
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State1
priority
1088. 1. Paragraph 2 this telegram represents my summary of statements made to me by Foreign Minister during course our conversation at noon November 11. Copy this summary was given to Foreign Minister at his request. Both he and Prime Minister have [Page 830] approved it as accurate reflection his views as to what next move in direction resumption relations might be (Embtel 331, Department 1087, November 12).2
2. “He had been giving much thought to the matter of the resumption of diplomatic relations and had had several conversations on this subject with His Majesty and the Prime Minister during the last two days. All agreed that early resumption was desirable. The problem, however, was to find a way of bringing this about without alienating large sections of the Iranian public which would be sure to interpret resumption in the absence of some indication of an advance in the direction of the settlement of the oil dispute as capitulation on the part of Iran to Western pressure. It was for this reason that several weeks ago the government had decided that an agreement on the principles of an oil settlement should precede or accompany the resumption of relations and had issued a public statement to that effect.
“It would be extremely difficult particularly after the issuance of such a statement for the government, without being able to show at least by some progress towards an oil settlement, to announce the resumption of relations. He was wondering what Mr. Eden might think of sending at once to Tehran an emissary who had the confidence of the British Government for the purpose of discussing this matter informally and frankly with the Prime Minister and himself. Given a friendly atmosphere and a willingness on the part of each side to understand the problems of the other, a way might well be found during the course of such discussions whereby relations could be resumed without resultant embarrassment to either [Page 831] government. He thought it might be preferable until such time as an agreement had been reached, and a joint communiqué had been prepared, for the despatch of this emissary and for the ensuing conversations to be treated as secret. If there should be a leak, it could be stated that the emissary had been sent on the suggestion of the Government of Iran for the purpose of exchanging views with regard to the resumption of relations between the two countries.
“If Mr. Eden should think well of this suggestion, the emissary could be sent at once without further formalities, or, if Mr. Eden would prefer, after a more formal suggestion in this regard had been sent by the Iranian Government through the Swiss Legation”.
- Sent to London as telegram 332 and repeated to the Department.↩
- On Nov. 12 Ambassador Henderson reported on an additional conversation with the Foreign Minister. Entezam again enlarged on how difficult it would be for the Iranian Government to resume relations with the British without being able to show the Iranian public some evidence that there had been an advance in the direction of an oil settlement. He again referred to the possibility that the British might send an emissary to Tehran to canvass the situation. Henderson said that he had already indicated that the British were unwilling to negotiate or even discuss substantive matters prior to the resumption of relations. Moreover, Henderson thought the British would be unwilling to send a representative to Tehran to discuss a resumption of relations unless they had assurances that such a mission would be a success. Henderson went on to say that he wished to be able to advise London without too much delay about Entezam’s reaction to the idea of Eden’s dispatching a message. Entezam said he would like his reaction to be expressed through a counter-suggestion that the British Government immediately send a representative to Tehran to exchange views regarding a resumption of relations. He asked Henderson if he would be willing to summarize Entezam’s remarks in a telegram to London and to show the draft to him and Zahedi during the course of dinner which Henderson was to have with them that evening. The Ambassador presented the statement to Zahedi and Entezam that evening, and they agreed it was an accurate reflection of their views. They also said they hoped the British Government would be willing to send a trusted emissary to Tehran for discussions. (Telegram 1087; 888.2553/111–253)↩