'F 80 File 82/34 I APOC Concession' [‎124v] (233/436)

because it did not agree with our legitimate interests. The other was that the
Anglo-Persian Oil Company have not complied with the terms of this same
Concession and therefore it was loss heaped on loss for the Government. At last
the Persian Government came to the conclusion that as long as it considered the
D'Arcy Concession as valid, it would not succeed in ameliorating the position.
For these reasons it cancelled the Concession, but it had no other intention in
doing so than to place its relations with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company on a
sound basis, which would safeguard the interests of both parties equitably.
It was due to this consideration that in the letter addressed by the Minister of
Finance to the representative of the said company in respect of cancellation of
the D'Arcy Concession it was pointed out that the Government was prepared to
enter into negotiations with the company for the conclusion of a new Concession.
We were hopeful that at last the company, for the sake of meeting the views of
the Persian Government and the nation, would be prepared to accede to our
request. Unfortunately our expectation has not yet been fulfilled and the inter
ference of the British Government and the notes which I have read to the
honourable Deputies have prevented the Government from beginning negotiations
with the company in order to arrive at a satisfactory solution to this question.
" One thing more has been noticed which has added to our regret, and that
is the misrepresentations which are being made in the British and foreign press.
People are picturing the action of the Persian Government, its words and its
deeds as contrary to truth, and they represent that this action of the Persian
Government has been taken under other influences. Some have declared the
Persian Government as possessing anti-foreign feelings, and stated that the
cancellation of the D'Arcy Concession has arisen from that fact. Others speak
of disturbances in districts where the oil industry is situated and talk of inter
ferences therewith, thus creating disturbance in the public mind; while everybody
knows that in these days and at the present time perfect security and safety
exists throughout Persia, especially in the districts where the oil industry is
situated. In regard to foreigners also, no one has shown any animosity against
nor interference with them.
" The Persian Government has not interfered or committed any aggression
in regard to the oil industry and, as heretofore, considers the said industry as
being included in its protection. It has, in addition, as a safety measure,
increased its protectionary measures, and it is certain that no damage will be
done to the company and its organisation in Persia, unless someone may consider
it to its own interest to intentionally cause damage thereto.
"Finally, the only intention of the Persian Government is to protect its
own rights and interests. The Government says that this oil and its derivatives,
which are produced in Persia, are the property of the Persian nation and that
the nation should benefit from it in proportion to its right of ownership. What
has been paid up to the present is insufficient, and its acceptance would create
a bad name for the Government. If there was a day when Persians Or their
rulers were negligent or corrupt and gave away this national source of wealth
in a deceitful transaction—and even if within the limits of the same transaction
they did not provide for the safeguarding of the country's interests—there is
no reason why the same method and procedure should be continued to-day,
when all eyes have been opened. Of course the company, which has invested
and employed its financial and technical capital in this source of wealth, should
benefit equitably from it, but it is not just that the nation which owns this
wealth should be deprived of its just share and taken advantage of. This is our
justifiable statement, which we have repeatedly said and written, and which we
will continue to say as long as our rights are not provided for.
" Apart from this fact, the Persian Government has no ill will for the
British Government nor has it any enmity for the company or opposition to any
foreigners. It demands its own rights and nothing else, and it will by every
means and method seek to obtain its rights. I hope that this statement will make
the matter quite clear and will remove all misrepresentations which may have
been made."
December 15, 1932.