262. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Dulles and the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Rountree)0
TELEPHONE CALL TO MR. ROUNTREE
R replied he has seen the cable from Tehran.1 They discussed it and R thinks it is time for a high-level message.2 R said they have given Wailes considerable guidance3 in this but he has not chosen to see the Shah but has talked with Ala. The Sec said Ala does not seem friendly to [Page 627] the US. R said basically he is but in the first place he is senile and he thinks Ala may be largely responsible for the blackmail tactics being employed. R just read the cable and asked his Iranian people to come up and he thought he would try his hand on a message to the Shah. Does the Sec think the Pres would be willing to sign the letter? The Sec said yes—of course depending on what was in it. He sees no objection in principle to that. R will have one in the a.m. The Sec questioned being sure of doing it at this time. R said there will be more info in the a.m. and he would want that before sending anything to the Pres.
R replied he will be at staff mtg tomorrow—he understands the Senators will be there. The Sec said it raises the question of how much you want to talk—R said others know about it and he can talk in a general way. The Sec wants to make it normal and interesting.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau.↩
- Apparent reference to telegram 1406, January 28, in which Wailes reported rumors that the Shah had directed the Iranian Foreign Office to draft an Irano-Soviet nonaggression agreement valid for 30 years. Wailes also reported that Soviet Ambassador to Iran Pegov was actually negotiating with Masud Ansari, Iranian Ambassador-designate to the USSR. Wailes, accompanied by the Pakistani Ambassador to Iran, met with Minister of Court Ala on January 28, to outline the adverse consequences of such action. (Department of State, Central Files, 688.00/1–2859)↩
- Document 263.↩
- In telegram 1921 to Tehran, January 28, the Department suggested that Wailes should: “point out to Iranians extreme danger reliance upon Soviet promises, and extent to which Iranian cooperation with Free World has contributed to Iranian independence and stability of Shah’s regime. It would be tragic indeed if Iran’s position should be undermined by hasty and unwise action vis-à-vis Soviets whose ultimate objective in Iran has long been clear. You might find it possible perhaps with Ala to point out extreme danger to Shah and regime of any policy which would give courage and encouragement to local communist and other anti-Shah elements.” (Department of State, Central Files, 688.00/1–2859)↩