Ext 5001/41 'PERSIA – INTERNAL (Miscellaneous despatches).' [‎12v] (24/248)

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provinces and otherwise curtailing consular publicity activities; by closing the
British Information Centre in Tehran; by stopping the Public Relations Bureau
courier service, and by other general reduction in expenditure.
93. No evidence has been seen of any parallel reduction in propaganda
! activities by the Russians. On the contrary, there are many signs that they
I are still engaged in stretching out their tentacles into the provinces. In addition,
j ^e press section of the French Embassy has grown considerably and is becoming
: much more active than before. In spite of the abolition of the Office of War
Information, the American Press Attache’s staff has grown recently, though so
l far his activities have appeared to be confined to Tehran.
94. Certain of the activities of the Public Relations Bureau may have to be
reconsidered after the 2nd March next year when the Anglo-Soviet-Persian
Treaty expires.
Indian Affairs.
95. During the hot summer months the Indo-Iranian Cultural Society was
dormant, with most of its members out of Tehran, but the autumn has brought
signs of its revival.
96. The “ Iran League ” of Bombay have presented to Persia a bronze
statue of the Persian epic poet, Firdausi. It has been erected in a prominent
position in the City of Tehran and was to be unveiled with pomp and ceremonv
on the 2nd October.
97. The Director-General of Archaeology in India (Dr. Mortimer Wheeler)
is expected here by the end of October to start a thirty-days’ tour of the
archaeological treasures of Persia before going on to Iraq.
„ 98- The Indian teachers of English at Ahwaz, Kerman and Yezd took
retresher courses under the British Council at Tehran and it is felt that they
will now be able to arouse more interest among the Persian pupils.
99. In December 1944 the Persian Government promised to allow the
removal to India, for urgent use in connexion with the war with Japan of some
two miles of rails from an unwanted railway siding at Mirjawa, the frontier town
on the railway from India to Zahidan. However, by expert procrastination they
succeeded in omitting to implement their promise until the arrival of VJ-dav
made it difficult to continue to press for the rails.
Indian Trade.
100. The Indian Government Trade Commissioner is now installed in hk
office. Many trade enquiries have been received from Indian merchants and
Persian importers. Although trade is still controlled from both ends, the parties
concerned are showing a keen interest and eagerly awaiting the relaxation and
u timate removal of the various restrictions. The importance of India as a source
ot supply is being realised. India has a good chance of taking a considerable
sunnher ofTpa 8 ^jP 011 market. During the war also, it has been the principal
supplier of tea, cotton piece goods, spices and jute manufactures. It is hoped
® ! nte n na s upply situation in India will improve quickly and so permit a
g eater flow of the^ commodities in demand in Persia at the moment Trade
te^^iSs^jut^manuIactures^lMther good^a^dhectHca^equipment’^I’er^an
(a) Cotton Piece-goods .—Government of India have been pressing f 0 r
some time, through the Middle East Supply Centre, that the Persian
Government should agree to the importation of cotton piece-goods
first 1 half’of *r > Q 4 " f£ ected throu f h normal trade channels. Fo? the
ma' enmnhAc 4 ^ey were willing to let the Persian Government
ma,ve puichases up to 50 per cent, of the quota through their trade
agent at Bombay, and let the other 50 per cent, to be bought through
merchants. For the second half of 1945, they had stipulated that the
entne quota be bought through merchants. The Persian Government
(h) Ten —r een accommo< -j a ^ in g; and the question is still hanging fire
( ) a. The Government of India are also dissatisfied with the block-
purchase scheme by which Persia imports her requirements of tea
Food 1 The TW Ha r represented this t0 the British Ministry of
hood The Persian Government have not yet replied whether thev
£?„“ s arsar* * ,b ' *•<«* - «»«* mSs.