Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎117r] (233/749)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
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PERSIA.
SECRET.
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August 7, 1943.
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Section 1. A »
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Copy No. { | i
-SzV i?. Bullard to Mr. Eden—(Received 1th August.) 19^5
(No. 304.)
HIS Majesty’s representative presents his compliments to His Majesty’s
I rmcipal Secretary of State for loreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary No. 30 for the period the 20 th to
26th July, 1943, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran, 21 th July, 1943.
Enclosure.
Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No. 30 for the Period
20£A-26£A July, 1943.
(Secret.)
Persian Affairs.
Political.
THE Shah and the Government are conscious that the situation in the
country is critical, and there has been much consultation and discussion, little
decision and less action. Between a multitude of conflicting interests and
advisers neither the Shah nor his Government can make up their minds, much
less agree upon a common policy. Certain changes have, however, been made by
the Shah in appointments in the forces, whose object is to tighten up discipline
and instil more energy. In Tehran there is much adverse criticism of the Shah
and his prestige is low. The proved inefficiency of the army and the Shah’s
responsibility for it are the subject of much unfavourable comment. Personal
attacks on him have been made in the press, and the offending papers have not
been prosecuted. Scurrilous attacks are made with impunity on the Government
in general and on individual Ministers. There is no respect for the Government
and nothing but contempt for the Prime Minister even among his supporters.
There are various movements afoot in Tehran and other towns, ostensibly
connected with the coming elections, some of which might lead to disorder.
2 . The Government is still unable to decide on any policy for dealing with
the increasingly serious disorder that has resulted from the success of the Boir
Ahmadi tribes against the Persian forces. Any course of action has merely to
be suggested to be certain of opposition from nearly everyone except the proposer.
Economic.
3. A committee of experts, including representatives from Egypt. Iraq,
Afghanistan Russia, Great Britain and Persia, is now sitting in Tehran to
discuss and co-ordinate measures to be taken for the next season’s anti-locust
campaign, which begins in September.
Persian Forces.
4. It is understood that one motive inspiring the appointment of Sartip
Razmara as Chief of the General Staff was a desire to encourage the younger
and educated officers of the army, of whom one party follows Sartip Razmara.
These officers, on the whole, are opposed both to the late Chief of the General
Staff and to Sipahbod Ahmadi, the Minister for War, and some of them are
opposed to the American advisers. But it may result in better co-operation
between the General Staff and General Ridley, as Sartip Razmara in his last
appointment of Commander of the Central Recruit Training and Administrative
Depot did co-operate to some extent with General Ridley.