"F 80 ملف 82/34 I امتياز أ.ب.و.ك" [و‎‎١‎٩‎٩] (٤٣٦/٣٤٠)

concerned. Object of Gadman's last letter is to Indicate
dispute Is now one between Persian Government and His
J/Ejesty's Government and that negotiations can only be
resumed on basis which will be satisfactory to His Majesty's
Government, It has been framed however to avoid an/ posslbl
Implication that British Legation stand In way of settlement
On the other hand both His Majesty's Government and Gompang!
consider that satisfactory basis for resumption of negotia
tions is only likely to be arrived at by keeping question
within orbit of League. It is important moreover that
nothing should be said or done which might encourage Persian
Government to think that they can play off Company against
His Majesty's Government or that they can escape from
proceedings at Geneva merely by opening direct negotiations
with Company meanwhile. Any reopening of negotiations
between Persian Government and Company at this stage on an
uncertain basis or any apparent willingness on the part
of Company to send representatives to Tehran in advance of
next Council meeting would merely weaken position both of
His K&jesty's Government and of Company themselves when
matter next comes before Council and render/ it easier
fcr Persians to argue that action of His Jfejesty's
Government in raising iratter under Article 15 of Covenant
forms only obstacle to arrangement between themselves and
Company. •
4, For these reasonsvwe consider proceedings should
continue at Geneva in January and that negotiations in the
meantime between Persian Government and Company are undesir
able. On the other hand it is clear that if Company are to
he able to continue their operations in Persia some agreeme
satisfactory to both parties will eventually have to be
arrived