Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎75v] (150/749)

2
3. I here is increasing talk among the lower classes of the advantages of
living in the Russian zone or, indeed, under a Russian regime. The Tuden, the
People’s party, w T hich gets discreet Soviet encouragement, is increasing in
numbers and influence and has recently ventured to come out in open support
of the Soviet in the hitherto strongly anti-Russian town of Tabriz. The upper
classes grow more concerned about these signs. Moreover, the impressive
demonstration of Russia s strength and the elimination of Germany as a possib’
saviour have aroused considerable anxiety as to the position Soviet Russia will
occupy in post-war Asia. The result is a growing desire in certain circles for
closer collaboration with Great Britain and at the same time resentment that
Great Britain does not make it easier to feed the hungry poor without
diminishing the comforts of the propertied classes. That Persia should declare
war on the Axis is now being more widely advocated.
Economic.
4. The estimates given in Summar y No. 4/4 3^ para graph 6, of the amount
of grain tlflit will have to be imported to make up the deficit until the next harvest
have heefri found to be too low\ The amount of barley required is now estimated
to be 31,000 tons instead of 16.500 tons. The first shipments of imported grain
afe expected In' February.
A ppointments — Civil.
5. —(i) Mustafa Quli Khosrovi, to be Farmandar of Gui gan.
(ii) Dr. Kissabi, to be Farmandar of Bushire.
(iii) Javad Seneki. Persian Minister designate to Portugal, has died at
Cairo.
Persian Forces.
6. Notices have been issued by the Ministry for War calling up conscripts
of the 1924 class.
7. A battalion from the Tehran Division has been sent to Shiraz to relieve
a battalion which is composed mostly of conscripts due for discharge.
Internal Security.
8. There have been no serious disturbances of the peace, but throughout
the provinces administration is lax and petty robbery is rife. British military
stores suffer, and the theft of telegraph and telephone wire is a particular
nuisance.
Russian Affairs.
9. The Soviet \ ice-Consul at Isfahan and two Russian military officers
recently visited Anarak, presumably with a view to investigating the copper
mines in wPich the Russians are now interested in view of their contract with
the Persian Government for the manufacture of ammunition.
10. According to the Minister for War the Soviet Ambassador in a recent
conversation made no secret of his disapproval of the introduction of American
advisers into Persian administrations, particularly the army and gendarmerie.
If Persia needed foreign advisers at all. he asked, why were"Americans chosen?
Was not the Soviet Union the best administered State in the world?
( 11. Supplies are again flowing into Russia by the Zahidan-Meshed route.
During December 794 tons were delivered, and in January, up to the 22nd,
811 tons. The commodities were mostly jute, gunnies and tea.
Egyptian Affairs.
12. Abdul Latif Talaat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. has arrived in Tehran as Egyptian
Ambassador.
Turkish Affairs.
13. A Turkish Mission, composed of a general officer and five professors and
doctors, has passed through Tehran on its way to Kabul.
Tehran, February 16, 1943.