Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎58r] (115/749)

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With the Compliments
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Under Secretary of State
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/s* Bullard to Mr. Kdp.n. — (Renp/ived January
Copy No.
11^
(No. 418.)
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 No. 49 for the period of the 2nd to
8th December, 1942, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran, December 8, 1942.
Enclosure.
F.6. ktobw A*. fiTSSs/''’/ 34 '
of 6 * “Te
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Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No. 49 for the Period
December 2-8, 1942.
(Secret.) ——*—
Persian Affairs.
Political.
AS is usual when the early fall of the Gdyernment is expected, paralysis is
affecting the Administration. The Prime Minister is devoting most of his time
to endeavouring to placate leaders of Majlis parties and individual Deputies,
with doubtful success. Inside and outside the Majlis there is considerable
hostility to him, and there are many who are determined to-bring about his
downfall. A reconstitution of Government which would introduce certain leaders
of Majlis parties into the Cabinet is under consideration, but it is as yet doubtful
whether that will re-establish the Prime Minister. The situation is approaching
a climax where either the Prime Minister or the Majlis must go.
2. The new members whom the Prime Minister is thinking of introducing
into his Cabinet are the Deputy Sheikh Ali Dashti (M.A. 75; F.O. 59), a noisy
demagogue, now one of his most violent opponents; Murteza Quli Bayat
(M.A. 65; F.O. 50), a Vice-President o£ the Majlis; Tadayyun (M.A. 288;
F.O. 207), Minister of Education in Ferughi’s Cabinet. It is doubtful whether
any of these will be willing to serve under the present Prime Minister. They are
all candidates for his post.
Economic.
3. An agreement has been signed whereby the British and American Govern
ments undertake to supply Persia’s deficiencies in wheat until the next harvest
subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. These are that the Persian
Government will put into effect all proposals made by the American adviser to
the Ministry of Food for the prevention of hoarding, and the introduction of
rationing, and also all proposals made by the Joint Road Transport Board for the
control of transport. If, after the application of these measures, the Minister
of Food, the American Adviser to that Ministry, and the American and British
Ministers agree that the amount of wheat available in Persia is insufficient for
the minimum needs of the population until the next harvest, then the British and
American Governments will, within the limits of their powers, import sufficient
wheat to make up the deficit. The Persian Government is responsible for the
distribution of the existing stocks of wheat in Persia, making up deficits in one
area from surpluses in another, as long as stocks are available. The British and
American Governments undertake to assist, within the limits of their powers,
with transport for the distribution of wheat, provided that they are satisfied that
available transport is being used to the best advantage.
In a letter attached to the agreement the British and American Ministers
undertake to arrange for the import of 25,000 tons of wheat with the least possible
delay.
[37-20]