Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXII, Iran

31. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Johnson¹

Washington, June 3, 1964.

SUBJECT

• Your Meeting with the Shah of Iran

A. Purpose of the Shah’s Visit to the United States.

The Shah’s visit is informal. He will inaugurate the exhibit “7000 Years of Iranian Art” in Washington and receive honorary degrees from UCLA, American University, and NYU. The Shah is fluent in English. You are scheduled to meet with him for one hour at Noon on Friday June 5.

The Shah was last in the United States, on an official visit, in April 1962. You last saw him on your visit to Iran in August 1962. That was shortly before he personally assumed leadership of a basic reform program in Iran. He is exhilarated, perhaps overly so, about the apparent initial successes of that program. Although basically a moody man, subject to periods of discouragement, depression, and doubts as to our intentions, he is at present enjoying a high degree of self-confidence because of the consolidation of his political position at home, as well as Iran’s growing financial strength. He feels these developments allow him scope for more independence in foreign policy (exemplified by Iran’s improved relations with the Soviet Union), but he recognizes Iran’s dependence on the U.S. for security and continues to seek our advice on all important matters. His principal concerns at the moment are two related ones: his fears of aggression from the Arab world; and Iran’s requirements for further military modernization. A secure, long-range, close military relationship with the U.S. is necessary if these concerns are to be satisfied and our influence in Iran is to be maintained in the future.

The Shah will leave the U.S. on June 14 for a visit with the Sultan of Morocco.

B. Items for You to Raise.

1. Military Assistance. Comment on satisfactory progress of current Five-Year MAP Plan and discussions now under way in Tehran for further modernization of Iranian armed forces. Offer sale of² tanks on cash or credit terms during next two or three years to fill Iran’s most urgent military replacement need.

2. “Arab Threat.” Indicate understanding of Shah’s basic long-range concern with potential Arab threat to his border provinces. Note, on contrary, basic Arab military weakness in spite of supply Sovbloc arms, and continuing forces for disunity in Arab world in spite of repeated unity statements and “agreements.” Suggest threat to Iran’s border provinces more political and psychological than military and counsel internal development measures and avoidance of provocation to neighbors.

3. East-West Relations. Reassure Shah on following points: we are not contemplating conclusion of an East-West non-aggression pact; we intend to consult with the Shah and our other allies regarding any important development in East-West relations; we will stand firm at all trouble spots (Berlin, Cuba, Southeast Asia); we appreciate Iran’s deep understanding of the reality of the Communist threat; we will not sacrifice Iran’s interests as part of any East-West settlement.

4. Miscellaneous “Talking Points.”

a. Express appreciation for growing U.S.-Iranian cooperation in all spheres. Make special mention of Iranian provision facilities for our atomic detection programs and recent Iranian decision in principle to participate in Free-World aid effort to South Viet-Nam.

b. Note our satisfaction with Shah’s reform efforts. Stress also continuing need for courageous decisions and hard work to consolidate initial successes of land reform, achieve necessary fiscal and administrative reforms, ensure a healthy economic recovery in private sector.

c. Express satisfaction with growing Iranian financial strength and with current promising negotiations for continued U.S. lending, on appropriate terms, to assist Iran’s development program.

d. In connection with Shah’s trip to Morocco: ask him to convey our friendship and sympathy to King Hassan and Morocco; tell him we commend Hassan’s efforts to establish a viable constitutional system in face of serious obstacles; land reform, to which Shah has devoted so much attention, is a subject worth bringing to Hassan’s attention.

C. Items Which Shah May Raise and Suggested Response.

1. Pahlavi University. The Shah is keenly interested in the development of the recently-established Pahlavi University (at Shiraz) into an American-type institution and might ask that we expand our current assistance. If he raises this, respond that: we also are keenly interested in this project; we intend to broaden scope of our technical assistance from medical faculty to the University as a whole; we expect that principal financial inputs and organizational effort will be made by Iranians from their growing fund of finances and administrative skills.

2. Iranian Student Problem. The Shah may, if he finds time, voice dissatisfaction with our control of anti-regime Iranian students in this country who demonstrate against him and other visiting Iranian dignitaries. If he does raise this, tell him: we do not support these anti-regime elements but our laws do not allow us to suppress them forcibly in the absence of illegal acts; some of the students with expired passports are under warning to cease their extreme activities or face deportation; press and public reaction here are now so favorable to Iran and the Shah that antics of these dissident elements arouse scarcely any sympathy.

D. Background papers have been prepared on all of the foregoing subjects.

Dean Rusk

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Iran, Shah’s Visit, 6/5/64. Secret. The date is from the Department of State copy. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 IRAN)
2. The words “up to 150 M–60” are crossed out at this point on the source text, and a handwritten note in the margin reads “Suggest you leave details to DOD.” At the end of this paragraph the words “(See Special Talking Papers on Military Assistance.)” are also crossed out. This Special Paper is printed as Document 32.