Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎239r] (477/749)

- American Affairs.
14. Mr. Harriman, United States Ambassador in Russia, has passed
through Tehran on his way to Moscow.
Chinese Affairs.
* 15. A Chinese Consulate has been opened in Meshed.
Russian Affairs.
16. While recent Russian policy in Persia has confirmed the consistently-
held fears of many Persians, it has dispelled the illusions that had been created
in others by the generally correct behaviour of Russian troops. Where Russia
had gained respect, she has now lost it, and she is now almost universally
regarded, and feared, by Persians as an aggressive, grabbing Power. To counter
this, the Soviet-inspired Persian press is representing Soviet policy as being
defensive, with the object of ensuring that Persia does not become a base for the
hostile activities of imperialist Powers. As the source of such arguments is
accepted by all Persians to be the Soviet Embassy, more particularly as they are
used by Russian officials in conversation with Persians, the harmony of Anglo-
Russian relations is not obvious to Persians in spite of the best efforts of British
officials.
17. It is reliably reported that a Russian party recently made a
reconnaissance of the roads across the Kavir between Gunabad on the Meshed-
Zahidan road and Kerman.
18. The report in Summary No. 44/44, paragraph 15, that a platoon of
Russian infantry had arrived in Birjand, is not confirmed. Russian officers have,
however, been making enquiries about accommodation at Birjand for a detach
ment which they explained may be required to assist in the movement to Meshed
of horses they have purchased m Zabul.
19. Iransovatrans are still operating transport services from Yazd and
Isfahan over the roads leading northwards. The report in Summary No. 39/44,
paragraph 14, that they had closed down these activities was incorrect.
20. The Russian school has now opened officially in Tabriz with an
attendance of about 300 children. The school is divided into two sections, in one
of which the language used is Russian, in the other Turki.
Tehran, IQth December, 1944.
Appendix.
Appendix to Intelligence Summary No. 47/44.
Law passed by the Majlis on 2nd December, 1944.
(Summary No. 46/44, paragraph 4, and No. 47/44, paragraph 1.)
A vticls 1
In the matter of oil concessions no Prime Minister, Minister, Acting
Minister or Under-Secretary has the right to enter into any conversation having
any official or legal effect with any official or unofficial representative ol a
neighbouring or other Government or with any representative of an oil company
or with any Sther person; nor have they the right to sign any agreement connected
with oil.
4 vticls 2.
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet may discuss the sale of oil or the mannei
Ln w hich the Persian Government should exploit and control 1 ersia s oil deposits,
3 ut must inform the Majlis of such conversations.
4 vtxcls 3
Offenders against articles 1 and 2 will be sentenced to solitary confinement
for a period of from three to eight years and will be permanently dismissed fiom
Government service.