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

888.2553/11–1953: Telegram

No. 390
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, November 19, 1953—5 p.m.

2158. Re Embtel 2099, repeated Tehran as 61 and your telegram 1116, repeated London 347.²

British have now drafted terms of possible joint Anglo-Persian communiqué which, if Persians agreed, might be put out simultaneously in London and Tehran. Draft follows:

Verbatim text.

“HMG and the Persian Government have now decided to resume diplomatic relations and to exchange Ambassadors without delay. They will thereafter proceed at the earliest mutually agreed moment to negotiate a settlement of the oil dispute which has recently clouded relations between them and thus to complete the restoration of their traditional friendship. They are confident that, with goodwill, solution can be reached which will take account of the national aspirations of the Persian people regarding the natural resources of their country and which, on the basis of justice and equity, will safeguard the honour and interests of both parties.

“Thus it is hoped that a real contribution will have been made to the welfare of the two peoples and to the cause of peace and international cooperation”.

End verbatim text.

British would be grateful for your comments on:

(a) Phraseology this draft. They have made clear to us that in its essentials it represents furthest to which they would be prepared go in producing formula, though they realize there may be other phrases, equally innocuous from their point view, which might be more acceptable to Persian opinion.

(b) Timing of presentation of draft to Persians. British feel that the longer they delay in implementing their promise to Zahedi of further consideration (see Eden’s message to Zahedi reproduced in Embtel 2099) the more the Persians may be led to expect in way of concessions. On other hand, Mosadeq trial may not make this very appropriate moment for Persian Government to think about restoring diplomatic relations.

There is no suggestion you should sound Persian opinion on either point at this stage. British merely request your comments.

Foregoing approved by Eden.³

Aldrich

1. Sent to Tehran as telegram 62 and repeated to the Department.
2. See Document 386 and footnote 7 thereto.
3. On Nov. 20 Ambassador Henderson responded that he considered the tenor of this statement to be excellent and suggested that this draft be shown informally to the Iranian Foreign Minister as soon as possible to obtain his reactions. He cautioned, however, that the British should not become unduly optimistic that the Iranians were willing at that particular time to resume relations with the United Kingdom in the absence of an oil agreement. He also recommended that friendly pressure should continue to be exerted upon Iran to reestablish relations with the British. (Telegram 1148; 641.88/11–2053) The Department agreed on Nov. 21 that the friendly pressure on the Iranians should not be relaxed. (Telegram 1225; 641.88/11–1953)