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5. The Government is again considering an old project for leading the
waters of the Kuhrang River into the Zandehrud (see Degree Sheet No. 9, L,
Square BC 2 ), with a view to increasing the irrigated area of the Isfahan Plain.
It is announced that work will begin in the spring.
6 . An announcement is made in the press that it is hoped to commence work
on the Khorramshahr-Ahwaz railway in January.
Internal Security.
7. Only trivial incidents of disorder have been reported during the week,
and it is hoped that this is an indication that order, at least on the main routes, is
slowly being restored. The larger problems, however, still remain untackled :
Kurdistan, Dashti, parts of the Gulf littoral and the Qashgai country are still
free from Persian Government authority.
8 . In Kurdistan there appears to be little change. There are reports that
the two chiefs, Muhammad Rashid and Muhammad Riza, are concerned at the
Persian attempts to settle matters by agreement and are planning measures to
prevent a settlement.
9. No action has yet been taken against Dashti (see Intelligence Summary
No. 27, paragraph 7). On the contrary, according to reports received by His
Majesty’s Consul-General, Bushire, Persian troops "had been withdrawn and the
local chiefs recognised by the Persian authorities as responsible for order.
10 . No move against the Government has yet been made by Nasir Khan and
the Qashgai. It is reassuring that Nasir has sent his brother and son to Shiraz.
A fpointment.
11 . Musa Nuri Isfandiari (—) (99) : to be Persian Minister in Bagdad.
Persian Forces.
12. It has been announced in the press that it is proposed to form
eight Gendarmerie Commands in Persia and to maintain a force of twenty-seven
independent units, of the approximate size of a battalion, and 200 independent
companies. I he force is to include cyclists, motor-cyclists and, if the equipment
can be obtained, motorised units.
British Interests.
13. A statement has been made in the Persian press giving the lie to the
rumours that have been actively propagated for some time, to the effect that the
shortage of wheat is due to purchases by British troops. It is added that during
the month 20th October to 19th November 14,174 tons of wheat had been imported
from India.
14. The Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , visited His Majesty’s Legation
on the 29th November.
Russian Interests.
15. the Soviet military authorities do now appear to be encouraging the
Persian authorities to re-establish gendarmerie posts within the limits of
numbers and in the areas agreed upon, and to have given permission for conscrip
tion to be applied. Incidents, however, still occur of gendarmes and police being
disarmed by Soviet troops, but these are usually troops who have recently arrived
in the country. In the frontier towns of Julfa, Khvi and Maku the administra
tion is, however, to all intents and purposes, Russian.
16. There have been a number of murders of Caucasian refugees in the
Russian-occupied zone and in Tehran. The victims have been of Turkish origin
or Armenians. The former ar.e believed by the Persian police to be Turkish
agents. The Turkish Embassy and the Persian police are convinced that the
murders are the work of the Ogpu.