Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎201r] (401/807)

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9. Czech Interests.
Jheie are about 600 Czechs in Iran, most of whom are employed by firms such
as bkoda-Iran, Czechko-Morayska, Iranian State Railways, &c. ' With few
exceptions, the majority are anti-Nazi. Three, however, are known to be spies of
the Cestapo : Sedlhon, Mile. Krikgowa and Gayda, whose brother was once a
Czech Chief of Staff.
Skoda-Iran, whose managing director is M. Zanda. a patriot, are finding it
increasingly difficult to work in Iran. They are unable to obtain materials from
Germany, and. because of their nationality, orders placed in the United Kingdom
and India are not being carried out. The managing director is considering the
severing °f all connexion with the Prague office, which is managed by one of
hieid-Marshal Goring’s brothers, and reorganising it as a purely Iranian
company.
10. U.S.S.R. Interests.
(i) Reliable reports state that from seven to ten Soviet officers have entered
Iran and are touring in the Sauj Bulagh-Baneh area (Iranian Kurdistan). (A)
11 It is stated that negotiations for the renewal of the trading agreement
between the Soviet and Iran have once again been reopened. (B)
(iii) ISlotes on the Soviet air force in the Baku area are shown in
Appendix B(') to this Intelligence Summary. (B)
11. German Interests.
. (*) ®f ferer > ce Intelligence Summary No. 12 (current), paragraph 9 (i). On
the 17th November the newly appointed German Military Attache. Maior Joachim
von Geldern-Crespandorf, of the German General Staff, aged 48, arrived in
lehran. He is accompanied by his sister, Fraulein Erika von Geldern-
Crespandorf.
(ii) German oral propaganda is still increasing. During the past ten davs
newsvendors have been shouting misleading statements such as “Rebellion in
India against the English! ” “ 100,000 Indian soldiers killed! ” “ Eno-lish
army surrounded! &c. In cafes small groups have been listening to obviouslv
prepared statements read out by one of their number ostensiblv from a news
paper. Action to counter this has been taken.
(iii) It is estimated that there are about 120 German officers and men still
on board the five Hansa Line steamers at Bandar Shahpur (see Intelligence
Summary No. 21 (current), paragraph 10 (ii)).
I he Hansa Line steamer Uhenfels referred to in Intelligence Summary
No. 21 (current), paragraph 10 (iii), apparently left Lourengo Marques, rounded
the Gape and was eventually captured and taken to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
(v) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 21 (current), paragraph 10 (i) The
agrement for the new German Minister (Herr Ettel) has been granted. But it
is possible that he may not now come, as His Imperial Majesty the Shah stated
verbally that, although he would sanction the agrement, he did not particularly
desire the individual concerned.
12. Minerals.
non mine has been discovered 2 d miles south-west of Sirjan (Saidabad)
(million sheet No. 17, square D 3) on the slopes of the Kuh-i-Ainulbagal.
13. The Trans-Iranian Railway.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 21 (current), paragraph 14 (ii). It is
now known that 32,000 tons of British-manufactured steel rails will be delivered
within the next six months, this news has had an extremely good effect.
14. Census.
Ihe Ministry of the Interior is actively preparing for a census of the
population of Tehran up to a radius of 6 kilom. from the city. The census will
take place in the early spring.
15. The Press.
No mention whatsoever has been made in the Iranian press of the attempt on
Hitler at Munich, nor of the attempt on King Farouk of Egypt. This is in
(*) Not printed.
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