Ext 5001/41 'PERSIA – INTERNAL (Miscellaneous despatches).' [‎122v] (244/248)

been welcomed by the Persian Government. The wheat and internal transport
issuer are at present, however, far from a satisfactory solution. It is impossible
to say as yet whether the Anti-Hoarding Law will he effectively administered,
an m spite of all our efforts, the increased production and proper distribution
or wheat are still problematical.
t M uc .b the same considerations apply to Persia’s foreign trade in general
In order to bring Persia within the framework of the Middle East Supply Centre
ei smn imports must be licensed and the licences related to quotas approved by
the Middle Last Supply Centre. The machinery necessary to bring this about is
now beginning to operate, and it means in effect that the Commercial Section of
tins legation will direct and control the whole overseas trade of Persia except
be seen tbat a considerable degree of co-operation on the part of
the Persian Government has been achieved in every sphere, political, economic
and financial. I attribute this partly to the idea which may at last be spreading
nere that the chances of a final Axis victory are receding, partly to the rather
stronger policy which is being adopted by His Majesty’s Government towards
I ersia, and partly to the directive given by the Shah to the Government to
co-operate as closely as possible with His Majesty’s Legation. Personally, in the
last few weeks I have found the Prime Minister generally ready to give as much
satisfaction as he can on any questions which I raise with him.
14. A most impressive encouragement to this improvement in our relations
was given by the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester to Tehran
fjom the 10th to the 13th May. His Majesty’s Minister has reported separately
on the results of the visit, and I would only record here that it greatly confirmed
the friendly feelings of His Majesty the Shah, who often repeats that he decided
when he came to the throne, definitely to adopt a policy of co-operation with the
Allies, and that it profoundly flattered the Persian Government and people at a
most opportune moment. ‘ r 1
15. Our relations with the Court might be better, were it not for the
Queen-Mother, who is bitterly anti-British and makes things most
difficult for the second ex-Queen, Ismat Pahlevi. How far the Queen-Mother’s
influence extends over the Shah I am unable to say, but my private relations with
His Majesty are of the closest and in my private conversations with him he is
completely frank and seems to be only too pleased to unburden his heart with full
confidence. M hat he needs, 1 am sure, is an experienced adviser around him,
with political sense and no axe to grind, whom he can completely trust. At
present he seems to suffer from a feeling of isolation.
16. To turn to the internal political situation, the Government of M Soheily
was at first far from satisfactory. Soon after he had taken office it became clear
that he was as incapable as his predecessors of obtaining swift decisions on
matters of vital interest to us. The question of finding a better Prime Minister
was taken up with the Foreign Office, but it was decided that for the moment no
moie suitable candidate was available, and he was, therefore, allowed to stay
This was a happy decision, as from the preceding paragraphs it will be evident
that co-operation with the Prime Minister has considerably improved. He mav
not be an ideal Prime Minister and may be more untrustworthy and corrupt than
most, but his retention for the time being probably serves our purpose.
17. The obstructionist tactics of the Majlis have, however, not decreased.
The question of dissolving that somewhat absurd institution and proceeding to
new elections has been discussed with the Foreign Office. Dissolution, of course,
has the advantage of accelerating the Government’s business and preventing the
Prime Minister from using the Majlis as an excuse for procrastination, 'it is
possible that with the temporary disappearance of the Majlis co-operation
between His Majesty s Government and the Persian Government mi^ht be
[improved. It has, however, been considered preferable that the pace should’not be
forced, at least pending the ratification of the recently signed Financial Agree
ment and the appointment of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and of the Interior.
18. The trial of the ex-Chief of Police, Mukhtari, is proceeding and seems
likely to reveal a good deal of scandal concerning events which were much better
buried. The accused is being given the benefit of counsel to defend him. Applica
tion has accordingly been made by the counsel for the production of certain
dossiers connected with the ex-Shah’s part in the murders for which Mukhtari
is accused. The application had to be referred to the Palace, as the dossiers were