Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎201r] (401/749)

Russian Affairs.
^nmn^rn^T 16 a Soviet Consulate at Kazvin was reported in
Kabul ' °’ ' P ara S ra ph lb. A consular agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. has now been opened at
V2 f w A , memb A er P r - M . ill spaugh’s mission has recently made an extended
*)ur of Western Azerbaijan, investigating the harvest. He was born in Kezzieh
and knows well the ocal people. He has returned convinced that in Western
Azerbaijan the Tudeh party is definitely working for the separation of
Azerbaijan from 1 ersia. The Armenians, he considers, are the driving force.
He could not find any clear evidence of Russian direction behind this movement,
but having regard to the proved connexions of the Russians with the Tudeh party
it is unlikely that the movement is being carried on without their approval. On
more than one occasion the Russians have not hesitated to represent hostility
to the Tudeh party as hostility to themselves. In Isfahan they have trumped up
charges against the opposition party, the Vatas, as a pretext for asking the police
to take action against that party.
13. In Summary No. 22/44, paragraph 11 , it was reported that a party of
Russians had visited the Georgian villages of the Feraiden district. Later reports
say that the mam concern of the Russians seemed to be to convince the villagers
how much better off were the Georgians under Soviet rule. A Russian musical
composer is now to visit Bakhtiari to study Bakhtiari folk music. Other reports
had previously been received of Russian attempts to get into touch with Bakhtiari
and other tribal chiefs. ? Having regard to Seyyid Zia’s attempts to gain tribal
support, to Seyyid Zia’s supposed connexion with the British and to the close
relations of British officials with the tribes, it is not surprising that the Russians
should want to know what is going on.
British Affairs.
14. Aid-to-Russia supplies are no longer to be carried to Tabriz by British
military or U.K.C.C. transport, the Russians having requested that British-.
operated motor transport should deliver to Pahlevi only. The British Consulate
now remains the only British interest in Azerbaijan to justify the entry of
British officials to this part of the Russian zone.
Tehran, §th July, 1944.