84. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- Call on the Shah of Iran
PARTICIPANTS
- The Honorable W. Averell Harriman
- Mr. Phillips Talbot, Assistant Secretary, NEA
- Mr. Chester Carter, Deputy Chief of Protocol
Governor Harriman and Mr. Talbot met with the Shah for one and a quarter hours at the Waldorf Towers. Mr. Chester Carter of Protocol was also present.
The Shah in discussing his recent visits to Brazil and Argentina said that it had seemed quite useful to tell them of Iran’s experiences in facing land reform problems frankly and in undertaking rigorous battles against corruption. He also had had opportunities to state publicly his strong endorsement of United States positions on Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. This seemed to him important, because the President is taking just the right line in a very difficult period and deserved the public support of those who agreed with him. The pity was that many others agreed but were unwilling to say so except privately.
Governor Harriman congratulated the Shah on the position he had taken and expressed our appreciation for his firm and forthright backing of our efforts to meet difficult situations. The Governor then explained in considerable detail the course of developments in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic, and the specific aspects of our policy in each situation. The Shah reiterated his support of United States firmness in dealing with Communist-directed challenges of these sorts. He inquired whether any results had been achieved by five day stop in bombing and expressed approval of decision to renew operations.
Talk turned to the forthcoming Afro-Asian Conference in Algiers. The Governor expressed the hope that the Shah’s representatives could play a useful role in preventing the conference from being captured by extremist delegations. The Shah stated this to be his intention, and recalled he had discussed the matter with the Secretary of State during the latter’s visit to Tehran in April. The Shah said he had not decided who would lead the Iranian delegation but it might be the Prime Minister. The Governor encouraged the Shah to send the Prime Minister, whose official position and personal qualities would enable him to deal effectively with the heads of government present at the conference. The Shah said he would welcome continuing discussion with the United States and exchange of information on preparations for the conference. He suggested that the American Ambassador in Tehran might be armed with reference material. Governor Harriman and Mr. Talbot assured the Shah that our Ambassador in Tehran would be equipped to discuss all aspects of preparations for effective participation in the Afro-Asian Conference.
Turning to his own region, the Shah referred to Iran’s complete alliance with the United States against the “ultimate Communist danger.” At the same time, he said, it would be regrettable if the major powers entered into limited area disputes. Therefore, he felt it important that Iran should strengthen itself to deal with any problems that might arise in, for example, the Persian Gulf. He expressed confidence that the situation could be kept manageable with the military strength Iran was building. [Page 150] He was concerned about the situation in Iraq. Iran had substantial assets there, with the Kurds, Shiahs, etc., but he was not using them at this time. Governor Harriman and Mr. Talbot encouraged the Shah in a policy of restraint toward the Arab nations. The Governor added that strength for Iran obviously needs to be based first on social and economic modernization. He hoped the Shah would always keep his military outlay in balance with these other objectives. The Shah said this was his intention.
A brief discussion of the situations in various Arab countries developed no new points.
The Shah spoke of relations with his close neighbors along the Soviet periphery. The Governor noted that the King of Afghanistan had been warm in his comments about the Shah. The Shah recalled the assistance Iran had given to Afghanistan and suggested he would like to strengthen their relationship, “even though I don’t understand how a country can call itself neutral,” he said “we must protect Afghanistan’s neutrality against Soviet pressures.” The Shah expressed his desire to help persuade Ayub of Pakistan to be careful in his dealings with Communist China. He said that he was broadening Iran’s relations with India, now through cooperation in oil extraction and in the future perhaps in such things as aluminum. Looking westward, the Shah expressed concern about the mood in Turkey, which he found badly shaken by the Turkish inability to get a favorable solution to the Cyprus issue.
The Governor and Mr. Talbot congratulated the Shah on escaping harm when the attempted assassination occurred on the night after the CENTO delegates had dined with the Shah. The Shah described the incident as a near thing and expressed his concern at the Communist encouragement of Iranian students in Western countries, particularly in Germany, Austria and Great Britain. He identified the assassination ring as developed and directed by students in Britain.
In the middle of the conversation, the President telephoned the Shah from Washington.2 It was clear that the Shah greatly appreciated this gesture of friendship and interest. The President asked the Shah to take an active interest in the Afro-Asian Conference.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 IRAN. Confidential. Drafted by Talbot on May 21. Approved in S/AH on May 26.↩
- See Document 85.↩