Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎52r] (103/749)

6 U A *-*'
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
■ wth the FILb COPY ^
November 27, 1942.
$ ojj&tL to . ~ Section 1.
PERSIA.
SECRET.
:at«
2 6978/19/34]
AM
XXjL
Copy No»
H. C. u|l .
R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—{Received November 27.)
(No. 385.) _ > ^ .
HIS Majesty’s representative presents his compliments to His Majesty’s
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary for the period of the 11th to
17th November, 1942, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran, November 17, 1942.
Enclosure.
Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No. 46 for the Period
November 11-17, 1942.
(Secret.)
Persian Affairs.
Political.
THE political situation remains very unstable. The proposals made a week
ago for a permanent settlement of the currency question are still under
discussion between the Government and representatives of Majlis parties. They
involve ratification by the Majlis of the Anglo-Persian Financial Agreement and
surrender by the Majlis to the Government of its authority to sanction increased
note issues. Unless these conditions are fulfilled, the British and American
Governments will give no undertaking to supply Persia’s requirements in wheat.
|If the Majlis rejects the proposals, either the Government must resign or the
Prime Minister must close the Majlis. The issue is still in doubt, although it
seems improbable that even the Persian Majlis could be so irresponsible as to
deprive the country of wheat supplies. There is, unfortunately, little hope of
the question being treated solely on its own merits by the Prime Minister’s
enemies.
2. The change brought about in the military situation by the operations in
North Africa has had considerable effect on educated public opinion. Many are
now trying to increase their insurances with the Allies.
Finance.
3. A Government Bill has been laid before the Majlis revising the existing
income tax law. The Bill proposes to tax incomes as follows :—
Incomes up to 7,200 rials : Exempt.
„ of 7,201-20,000 rials: 1 per cent, on 7,200 rials; 3 per cent,
on remainder.
„ of 20,001-40,000 rials.: 6 per cent, above 20,000 rials.
„ of 40,001-100,000 rials f 10 per cent, above 40,000 rials.
,, of 100,001-300,000 rials : 20 per cent, above 100,000 rials.
„ of 300,001-500,000 rials : 30 per cent, above 300,000 rials.
„ of 500,001-1,000,000 rials : 40 per cent, above 500,000 rials.
,, of above 1,000,000 rials : 60 per cent.
4. The currency situation is officially stated to be as follows :—
Rials.
Total notes issued ... ... ... ... 3,200.000.000
In hands of the public ... ... ... ... 2,641,936,000
With National Bank ... ... ... ... 538,063,800
5. The information giv en in Summary No. 45/42, paragraph 9, of the draft
financial agreement proposed bv the Soviet Government to the Persian Govern
ment was incorrect. The drait agreement states that the State Bank of the