Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎211v] (422/749)

doubts of Persia’s fitness for democratic government. Indeed, the conviction
grows that no Government can function effectively while dependent for approval
on so mercurial and irresponsible a body. The Shah wishes to form the Senate,
which is provided for in the Constitution, possibly with the idea of closing the
Majlis while preserving in the Senate some slight appearance of regard for the
Constitution. He is the more inclined to this idea in that he has the right of^k
appointing thirty of the sixty members of the Senate. '
3. report on the proceedings of the Tudeh party conference (see Summary
No. 31/44, paragraph 4) has been published in the party press. Among the
resolutions passed were : to fight Seyyid Zia and other dictatorial elements; to
oppose all foreign advisers from whatever country they come; to oppose the grant
of any economic concession that may weaken the economic independence of the
Persian nation; to support friendly relations with all freedom-loving nations
on a basis of mutual respect and complete recognition of the political and economic
independence of Persia; to encourage the development and consolidation of
labour unions and organise peasants and officials. Approval was given to the
action of the Tudeh Deputies in fighting Seyyid Zia and the illegal actions of
the American advisers. Dissatisfaction with the present control and organisation
of the party was shown by resolutions to ensure better accounting for the party’s
funds, to tighten up party discipline, to ensure better co-operation between the
centre and branches, and to purge the party of doubtful elements. The
dominating personalities at the conference appear to have been Ovanasian, the
Deputy for Armenians of the north, and Radmanish, Deputy for Lahijan. The
former was trained at the Sociological College in Moscow and has spent many
years in prison for Communist activity.
4. The Government has decided to prohibit the pilgrimage to Mecca this
year as far as Persian subjects are concerned.
Economic.
5. The National Bank reports that notes in circulation now amount to
6,199,590,740 rials out of a total of notes printed to the value of 8,212,495,684 rialsy
6 . That prominent Deputy, Dr. Musaddiq, recently proposed in the Majlis
that the Government should charge the Allies twice the cost price of any wheat
delivered to them. He alleged that in the twelve months April 1943 to March 1944
the Allies had taken 100.000 tons of wheat. It is now a recognised Persian
practice to use the word “ Allies ” when complaining of Russian actions, but to
refer categorically to British and Americans in similar circumstances. The
proposal was unanimously approved.
Appointments — Civil.
7. —(i) Sherif Darakchi to be Farmandar of Birjand.
(ii) Hadi Shahnaze to be Farmandar of Shafarud.
(iii) Shahpur Mihan to be Farmandar of the new Shahristan of Pahlevi.
(iv) Ahmad Zelli to be Director-General of Customs.
Persian Forces.
A ppointments — Military.
8 . Army—
(i) Sartip Baharmast to be Quartermaster-General of the Army.
(ii) Sartip Mahdevi to be President of Military Tribunals.
(iii) Sarhang Mihna to be Director of Personnel.
Gendarmerie —
(iv) Sarhang Humayun to be Chief of Staff.
(v) Sarhang Musheri to be Director of Operations.
(vi) Sarhang Gudarzi to be Director of Personnel.
(vii) Sarhang Jahansuzi to be Director of Plans
(viii) Sarhang Mu’tazadi to command the 1 st (Central) District.
(ix) Sarhang Shams Mulk Arai to command the Khuzestan District.
(x) Sarhang Ma’zi to command the Isfahan Regiment.
(xi) Sarhang Maulavi to command the Kermanshah Regiment.
(xii) Sarhang Nurbaksh to command the Kerman Regiment.
(xiii) Sarhang Fariburz to command the Shiraz Regiment.
(xiv) Sarhang Ishqi to command the Mazanderan Regiment.
(xv) Naib Sarhang Amir Parvizi to command the Tabriz Regiment.