Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎371v] (742/749)

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American Interests.
19. The large American camp at Amirabad near Tehran, though included
in the general sale of their remaining assets on the basis of 7| per cent, of their
original cost, was actually sold to His Imperial Majesty the Shah who presented
it to the university of Tehran. At a formal ceremony in the presence of the
Shah the American flag was hauled down and the camp handed over. The
ceremony was marred by a rush of looters who fell upon the camp as soon as the
American guards were withdrawn. Telephones were the chief attraction, but,
according to one witness, the mob tried to remove “ everything that was not
screwed down.”
20. The American Military Mission has recently received some officer
replacements and reinforcements. The wives of General Ridley and two of his
senior staff have also arrived. Though no official announcement of the prolonga
tion of the contract of the mission has been made, it would appear that the mission
expect to stay for a year at least. Results of their work are less and less in
evidence.
Russian Interests.
21. Consular diaries for November received from Zahidan report some
increased activity by Russian officials in South-East Persia. They have contacted
local officials and their commercial agents and have made enquiries about the
strengths of British troops in the area and the extent of British trade. Their
chief tribal contact appears to be Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Muhammad Reza Khan Purdili.
Tehran, 23ty/ December, 1945.
V
Appendix A.
The Programme of the Azerbaijan Government.
IN the programme of the Azerbaijan National Government it is stated
that:—
The Azerbaijan National Government starts its functions with the object
of putting an end to all the hardships and difficulties of the nation. It
announced its programme as follows :—
1 . It should be announced to all men and to the public throughout the
world that Azerbaijan has obtained autonomy within the boundaries of Persia.
The Government is obliged, with a view to consolidating Azerbaijan s autonomy,
to approach the Central Government and to obtain the agreement of the
central authorities. . .
2. In order that a national government may be formed in conformity with
the desire of the people, the public must be allowed to share in the administrative
affairs of the country by provincial councils.
3 . With a view to the development of the provinces the election of provincial
councils must be started.
4. Honest and liberal persons must be appointed as Bakhshdars and
Farmandars.
5 . The gendarmerie and police must be cleared of treacherous elements and
criminals, and the gendarmerie and police activities must be so regulated as to
ensure public tranquillity and convenience.
6 . A budget must be drawn up after the full needs of Azerbaijan have been
studied and estimated.
7. With a view to defending Azerbaijan’s autonomy the armed detach
ments formed in the provinces must be converted into national guards.
8 . In the matter of education two problems must be solved : ( 1 ) The
Azerbaijan language must be taught and made official in all schools and depart
ments. (2) Compulsory education must be enforced so as to make the public
literate, and steps must be taken to establish a national university of Azerbaijan
with a view to providing an educational cadre.
9 . In connexion with industry, great importance must be attached to the
expansion of industry in the country.
The National Government will acquire the necessary means to develop
commerce, and will endeavour, by the expansion of industry, to meet the require
ments of the people. ...... .. ^ . ,
10 The establishment of complete order and discipline on all telegraph
and telephone communication lines and the repair of roads and highways.
11 In order to remove any differences between peasants and landowners,
laws to be enacted which will afford satisfaction to both parties.