Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎370v] (740/749)

The Majlis.
7. At the sessioj^pj^he* 13th December the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill
was passed by a majorj^vo^e of 81. A translation will appear in a later issue
of this Intelligence Sumnaary. At the session on the 18th December the Prime
Minister made a lengthy speech about the situation in Azerbaijan and the steps
taken by his government. The speech was frequently applauded. (See para
graph 2 above.)
Internal Security.
A zerbaijan.
8 . On the 19th December Sartip Darakhshani, G.O.C. Tabriz, accompanied
by 14 of his officers, arrived in Tehran by Soviet plane. He had, apparently,
thought better of his decision to join the rebel army and availed himself of the
invitation given previously by the Democrats that those officers who did not wish
to join them would be free to leave. He is now under arrest and will be tried by
court martial. It was reported in the press on the 23rd and 24th December that
a further 70 officers of the garrison have arrived in Tehran by motor coach and
train. This leaves about 30 still in Tabriz awaiting transport. Of the 750 rank
and file all are reported to have fled, about one-third of them taking their arms.
The total of arms seized by the rebels in the deserted barracks is about 800 rifles,
18 machine guns and one mountain gun.
9. The latest news about other garrisons in Azerbaijan is as follows :—
Miandoab. —Garrison surrendered. A party of 85 gendarmes made its
escape to Saqqiz losing about 35 on the way in casualties and desertions.
Ardebil .—Garrison surrendered.
Maragheh.—Gavrison surrendered.
Rezaieh. —No definite news but Moscow radio reported that fighting is
in progress.
Mishkin Shahr .—'This small place (50 miles north-west of Ardebil) was
omitted from a list of Azerbaijan garrisons previouslv given to the B.M.A.
by the C.G.S. - It is now learnt that its garrison of one platoon has sur
rendered after losing two officers and half its strength killed.
Other troop movements consist of the despatch of a battalion from the Saqqiz
garrison to Bijar to protect Hamadan.
10. According to the Governor of the National Bank, the balances at the
Tabriz branch which fell into rebel hands (see paragraph 10 of last Intelligence
Summary) amounted to 40 million rials (about €300,000), most of which repre
sented private and not Persian Government deposits. According to the same
authority, the National Government of Azerbaijan has had the effrontery to ask
for more funds to be sent from Tehran. This request has, of course, been refused.
It is possible that the Azerbaijan Government may now issue some form of notes
of its own. Meanwhile it has prohibited the drawing of more than 20.000 rials
(£154) on any private account and has advertised the sale of 100 tons of Persian
Government sugar which should bring in about 6 million rials (about £45,000).
11 . _ The exchange of the Governor of Zenj an for two Tudeh members (see
paragraph 6 of Intelligence Summary, No. 47) has now been completed and the
governor has returned to Tehran.
12 . His Majesty’s Consul-General Tabriz reports that the town is quiet with
the Democrats exercising strict control. Their armed forces appear to be less
than before.
Gilan, Mazanderan and Gurgan.
13. According to reports reaching the general staff from Persian police
sources and reports (*) received in this embassy from other sources, Tudeh activity
in these provinces is increasing. Recent arrivals and departures of Soviet troops
show an overall deposit of some 500 remaining in the area. The Tudeh party is
said to be preparing a proclamation of autonomy for “ Tabaristan.” (This
classical geographical name properly covers the provinces of Mazanderan and
Gurgan, but is certainly intended to include Gilan also.)
*From that and other sources comes the news that they are calling for
volunteers and appear to be anxious to build up an Azerbaijan army of sufficient
strength to oppose any Persian forces sent against them if and when the Russian
troops withdraw. Recruits are reported to have been offered 150 rials per mensem
in addition to clothing and food.