Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎353r] (705/749)

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British Interests.
C.I.G.S. and the G.O.C.-in-C., Middle East, visited Abadan and
oilneids between the 2nd and the 4 th November.
11 . Sir W illiam Fraser, chairman of the A.I.O.C. Limited, visited Tehran
at the end of October. He was received in audience by H.I.M. the Shah and
was entertained at an official luncheon at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
12 . A commission was tield in Ahwaz on the 5 th November to arrange for
■ gradual reassumption of responsibility of the Persian Government for the
security of the A.I.O.C. s area of operations. British consular representatives,
iepiesentatives of the A.I.O.C. and the Persian military gendarmerie and police
chiefs attended. The Commander, South Persia Area (British), presided. The
strength and disposition of the Persian army in Khuzistan were considered
satisfactory. Gendarmerie reinforcements not being available, the organisa
tion out of the existing Khuzistan regiment of two companies each of three
platoons, especially for A.I.O.C. protection, was considered the best solution
for the time being. The police again maintained that the low rates of pay
offered prevented them recruiting the extra numbers required. Pressure brought
upon the last Prime Minister to provide the necessary credits for increased pay
is being maintained upon his successor. The agreement of the gendarmerie
and police headquarters in Tehran (an agreement not obtained without difficulty)
to place their forces in Khuzistan under the orders of the Persian Army
Divisional Commander for purposes of A.I.O.C. security will, it is hoped, lead to
better co-ordination of these duties.
Russian Interests.
13. The Russian consular agent at Zabol recently visited Zahidan, Khwash
and Bam, and spread rumours to the effect that the Americans were to receive
oil concessions at Safidawa and Khwash, adding that such concessions would be
beneficial to Persia. It is reasonable to draw the conclusion that such rumours,
invented by the Russians, would justify the granting of similar concessions in
the north-west of Persia to the Russians by the Azerbaijan Provincial Council
which, from all reliable accounts, the Russians are actively trying to form..
14. The Russians are preventing the despatch of food-stuff's, dried fruits
and leather from Tabriz to Tehran. Russian cotton goods are allowed to pass.
The Russians played this game before, creating a surplus with cheap prices
in those parts of Persia under their military occupation and a shortage with
high prices in the rest of the country. Their hireling press then expatiated
on the joys of living in the Russian “ zone."
15. Some months ago the Russo-Persian Cultural Relations Society decided
to send forty-one students to study at Moscow University. The students were
chosen after open competition and are to leave gradually for Russia. The first
six left by plane last Sunday. They are to spend one year first learning Russian
in Baku and they will then enter Moscow University.
American Interests.
16. The American Embassy, on instructions from the State Department,
has informed the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that, as the conditions on which an
American economic and financial mission had been sent to Persia were no longer in
force, the functions of the mission would terminate on the 21st November next. It
is, however, left to individual members of the mission to make, if they so desire,
individual contracts with the Persian Government. It is thought that some
six of them will elect to remain in Persian Government service (see Intelligence
Summary No. 40, paragraph 11).
17. 1 The Commanding General, A.M.E.T., has accepted the responsibility
for the security of all American military personnel in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Com
mand with effect from mid-December having been informed that, owing to the
gradual evacuation of Persia, British troops will not be available for that
purpose after that date.
18. The Americans have now been paid a sum of $2,139,000, being the
balance due from the Persian Government for rolling-stock, tankers and loco
motives (see Intelligence Summary No. 41, paragraph 14).