Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume
E–4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969–1972
82. Memorandum From [name not declassified] of
the Near East and South Asia Division of the Directorate for Plans,
Central Intelligence Agency to the Deputy Director’s Executive Assistant
([name not declassified])1
2
Washington, August 10, 1970
SUBJECT:
- Visit of Major General Palizban
REFERENCES:
- Previous memoranda, same subject as above.
- 1.
- In connection with Major General Palizban’s visit to Headquarters
building on 18 August, the ACSI desires that all personnel who will
be in contact with Major General Palizban during his visit to the
United States be informed of the following information recently
furnished by ARMISH-MAAG, Tehran:
“It is important to note that Iranians have a tendency to
want to buy or be given exotic equipment which they are not
prepared to use and, in many instances, cannot afford to
purchase. There is also a tendency to accept a casual remark
such as ‘we will look into this and let you know’ as a
definite promise to provide equipment, information or
assistance. Therefore, it is recommended that discussions
and demonstrations take into consideration imperial Iranian
Army capabilities, costs, and the U.S. national disclosure
policy. Should the situation arise, General Palizban should
be politely informed that availability, price, etc., cannot
be determined until after a specific purchase or other
request is received from his government.
- 2.
- Please brief the DDCI on the
substance of para 1 above prior to his luncheon meeting with Major
General Palizban scheduled for 1200 hours on 18 August 1970.
- 3.
- Also for the DDCI’s information,
attached is a copy of the official ACSI itinerary for Major General
Palizban’s U.S. visit.
[Page 2]
Attachment
Memorandum From the Chief of the Near East and
South Asia Division, Central Intelligence Agency (Blee) to the
Deputy Director (Cushman)
Washington, August 3, 1970
SUBJECT:
- Visit of Major General Azizollah Palizban, Chief, Combined
Intelligence and Counter-intelligence Organization and J–2,
Supreme Commander’s Staff, Imperial Iranian Army
REFERENCE:
- Memorandum for the DDP, dated 29 July 1970, same subject as
above
- 1.
- Major General Azizollah Palizban, Chief, Combined Intelligence
and Counterintelligence Organization and J–2, Supreme
Commander’s Staff, Imperial Iranian Army, accompanied by his
aide/interpreter, Major Razavi, will visit the Headquarters
building on 18 August 1970. He will be your guest for lunch on
that date at 1200, along with senior NE Division officials (a
guest list is attached). While here, General Palizban will
receive briefings from representatives of OTR, OCI, and SE Division. An agenda of the briefings is
attached in the event that General Palizban raises some of the
briefing topics in conversation with you during lunch.
- 2.
- There is no cover for the visit to Headquarters building as
General Palizban is visiting the United States from 11–19 August
1970 as an official guest of Major General J. A. McChristian,
General Staff, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. [text not declassified] The Agency Officer
for the [Page 3] visit will be
[text not declassified]
- 3.
- [text not declassified]
- 4.
- [text not declassified]
- 5.
- As a result of his position, General Palizban has direct
access to the Shah and responds to his personal guidance. In
view of this, the General may have been encouraged by the Shah
to raise the following topics which involve policy during
meetings with high-level U.S. Government officials:
- a.
- He may attempt to get an indication of any change in
basic policy vis-a-vis Iran in view of its rapprochement
with the Soviet Bloc and its “independent foreign
policy.” He will probably emphasize Iran’s [Page 4] role as a
strong, stable nation in the Middle East, an area in
which the U.S. has few friends and little influence as a
result of the consequences of the June 1967 Arab/Israeli
War. Recommendation: Stress
the U.S. Government’s long established friendship with
and regard for Iran as a strong and reliable ally in the
Middle East. Also comment favorably on the rapid rate of
Iran’s economic growth as well as the social progress
achieved under the leadership of the Shah.
- b.
- Continued U.S. military sales to Iran under the
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) credit authorization bill currently
under Congressional scrutiny. Recommendation: As stated by the President as
well as senior Department of State officials, reiterate
that the U.S. Government plans to continue the FMS credit authorization
subject to Congressional approval.
- c.
- Increased importation of Iranian oil. Recommendation: Oil
importation quotas are established and regulated by
Congress; they can only be altered by Congressional
action.
- 6.
- General Palizban has never had any previous meetings with
Agency Directors and/or Deputy Directors. He will most probably
bring a gift for the DDCI which
is the Iranian custom. The NE Division will purchase an
appropriate gift for presentation by the DDCI if the need arises.
David H. Blee
Chief, Near East and South Asia
Division
