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

788.21/1–854: Telegram

No. 407
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State¹

secret

Tehran, January 8, 1954—4 p.m.

1491. At my request Prime Minister received me yesterday afternoon. His son Ardeshir interpreted. During conversation I asked Prime Minister how he felt re progress elections and whether cooperation between him and Shah satisfactory.

2. Prime Minister said he encouraged re elections. List candidates approved by Shah and self was complete. He thought most would be elected. He not fully satisfied with slate. Men on it not uniform high calibre which he would like. He had agreed to some of them because (a) his government so deeply committed politically to certain candidates he could not do otherwise without appearing ungrateful for past assistance, or (b) certain candidates had such strong political positions in their respective communities he could not turn them down without appearing ride rough-shod over local sensibilities.

3. Prime Minister apparently had heard, possibly from Ala, … re selection such candidates as Qanatabadi, Mustafa Kashani and Mir Ashrafi (Embtel 1481 Department, 474 London January 7). In any event he gave their names as examples of candidates whom he had felt forced accept despite his lack full confidence in them. He said although they opportunists they had displayed loyalty to him and his government in extremely difficult times when friends were few and had thus far done nothing which would give him grounds for excluding them from list. He did not think they would be in position do much harm even if they should turn against him. He would soon be politically bankrupt if he should turn, without specific grounds, against those to whom he was deeply indebted.

4. He anxious that impression should not prevail in country that Government was high-handedly forcing into Majlis candidates favored by it regardless feelings local communities. In deciding on which candidates to support Government had therefore been compelled take into consideration political leadership, past record in Majlis, ability to get votes, et cetera, as well as integrity and honesty. Result had been that about 40 of 136 candidates while friendly disposed to Government could not be fully depended on in times of stress. About the same number could be depended upon to back Government wholeheartedly through thick and thin. There were perhaps half dozen who might turn out to be demagogues with whom Government would have difficulties. The remainder he thought would in general support Government although they could not be regarded as hundred percenters. With such Majlis, he convinced Government could effect passage oil settlement acceptable to Iranian public and other important bills. Majlis would not however be rubber stamp affair. He thought over long term it better that it should not be. He was introducing into Majlis number young progressive intellectuals who understood what he was trying to do and who he hoped would develop into future political leaders.

5. I asked Prime Minister if Government was preparing bills for submission to Parliament. He replied in affirmative, said number important bills embodying reforms in various fields were being drawn up. They were sufficient in number to keep Majlis fully occupied for at least three months at end of which additional bills would be ready. He thought that if Majlis could be put hard to work its morale would be higher and people would feel something was being accomplished.

6. I asked Prime Minister re Senate. He said that voting for Senate would probably begin few days before Majlis. In fact voting in Tehran should take place by middle January. Senate elections presented less difficult problem than Majlis because in order be Senator politician must have certain qualifications and background which no Tudeh members and few extreme Nationalists possessed. Slate had been drawn and approved by Shah and himself of Senators to be elected and to be appointed by Shah. He thought that new Senators would be of higher quality and have more prestige than their predecessors.

7. In answer my question Prime Minister maintained that in spite of speed with which preparations for elections were going forward matter was being handled with care and foresight. He anticipated Government would have overwhelming victory without being compelled to resort to undue pressures.

8. Shah and he had had certain differences re selection candidates and re manner in which elections were to be run. These differences had not been basic, however, and they had been eliminated by process of give and take. At present moment Shah was showing fairly satisfactory degree cooperation. Difficulty was that he could never be sure that political opportunist would not succeed in getting ear of Shah and persuading him to make some statement or take some action which might upset political equilibrium.

9. I inclined believe Prime Minister somewhat over optimistic re calibre candidates and degree their reliability. Preliminary examination by Embassy of available lists candidates would indicate distressingly few of national repute and high standing. On other hand it would appear that more important politicians displaying interest in being members Senate than Majlis. Senate may therefore in new quality its membership play greater role in future than in past.

Henderson

1. Transmitted in two sections; also sent to London.