324. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran1
Washington, December 9, 1968,
2212Z.
284246. Subject: Hoveyda Visit.
- 1.
- Summary. Hoveyda’s December 3–4 visit to New York and December 5–6 visit to Washington eminently successful in further improving climate our relations with Iran. It provided us with opportunity give recognition Iranians in addition to Shah who playing important role in their country’s development. We also conveyed to Hoveyda fact that our desires for close ties with Iran transcend partisan American considerations. For his part, Hoveyda’s warm and frank personality made excellent impression on Americans he met. Principal substantive discussions were on Mideast problems and Iranian desires speed up military purchases from US and sell oil to US market.
- 2.
- During course his New York and Washington visits Iranian Prime Minister Hoveyda had half-hour meeting with President, hour and half meeting with Secretary, in addition formal dinner at White House and lunch at Dept. Hoveyda greatly pleased by special attention of President who attended Iranian Embassy reception in Washington. He also met in New York with Ambassador Murphy and while with President had brief discussion with President-elect’s newly appointed foreign policy assistant Henry Kissinger. At private social occasions he was guest of David Rockefeller in New York, with Governor Rockefeller present, and of Senator Percy in Washington. At National Press Club speech in Washington and off-the-record appearances before Council on Foreign Relations in New York and Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs Hoveyda stressed Iran’s internal progress and stability and pointed to importance for peace and stability of Middle East of a strong Iran. Press coverage was moderate but favorable. No student or other demonstrations.
- 3.
- In substantive discussions Hoveyda reviewed full range of Iranian policies toward its neighbors along familiar lines. We provided him with our current views on Arab-Israeli and Vietnam problems. Hoveyda pressed for speedy completion arrangements for next increment our military sales credit, stressing need place orders for additional two squadrons of F–4’s so as to meet desired 1971 delivery date. In this connection he also mentioned Iranian need for more USAF technicians. Further discussions these subjects will be held in Washington December 13–16 with [Page 580] PlanOrg Managing Director Samii. In addition discussions with oil companies in New York (septel), Hoveyda in Washington discussed possibilities for Iranian sales of oil to US and of oil products to DOD. Discussions these possibilities were inconclusive. Memcons follow.
Rusk
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 IRAN. Confidential. Drafted by Eliot on December 7, cleared by Saunders, and approved by Rockwell. Repeated to CINCSTRIKE.↩