Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎389r] (777/807)

3
8 . The Minister for War has laid before the Maj-lis a project of a law for
the reformation of the Conscription Law. Details are not yet available, but its
purpose is believed to be to lighten the burden of conscription and to prevent some
of the existing abuses in its application.
'^^pointments—M ilitary.
9. Brigadier Abdullah Hidayet to be Deputy Chiejf of the General Staff.
Brigadier Seifullah Shihab to be Director of Military Schools.
Internal Security.
A zei'baijan.
10 . There has been further trouble at Rezaieh, originating in an attempt
by the Persian gendarmerie to disarm some Kurds entering the town. This
occasioned a rising of considerable numbers of Kurds, who surrounded the town,
pillaged adjacent villages and attacked and disarmed a gendarmerie post of
twenty-eight men. Whether they entered the town or not is not yet known. Owing
to Russian objections, there are no Persian troops in that area and the gendarmerie
is restricted to small numbers inadequate to deal with serious disorder. The
Russian garrison refused to intervene, but it is reported that the Soviet
authorities were instrumental in persuading the Kurds to withdraw from the
vicinity of the town. Considerable panic reigned for a time, but the situation is
now calmer. At a conference between the Soviet Consul-General, the Persian
Chief of Police and the Kurdish leaders the latter formulated the following-
demands, which were forwarded to Tehran :—■
(1) No gendarmerie posts to exist in Kurdish region between Khoi and
Mahabad.
(2) Kurds to be allowed to carry arms.
(3) 1,200 rifles alleged to have been given to Persian villagers in the Rezaieh
district to be withdrawn.
(4) Kurds to have one representative in each of the Government Departments
in Rezaieh.
(5) Kurds to enjoy freedom in their own national affairs.
( 6 ) Persian Government to provide schools in Kurdistan, where the Kurdish
language would be used.
(7) Certain specified lands to be restored to their original Kurdish owners.
( 8 ) Twenty Kurds now in prison to be released.
The rifles mentioned in the third demand—though probably less than 1,200—
were issued by the Persian Government to villagers for their own defence against
Kurdish depredations.
Kurdistan.
11 . The action of the Persian forces against the Kurdish rebels reported
in paragraph 6 of Summary No. 17/42 appears to have been effective. The
Persian forces are reported to be in strong occupation of a pass on the Saqqiz-
Baneh road some 7 miles from Baneh. The greater part of the rebel band has
dispersed, and Hama Rashid, the rebel leader, is said to have taken refuge in
Iraq. Some Persian officers, whom he had taken prisoner, have been released and
state that they were well treated. Saqqiz has been reoccupied and telegraphic
communication with Tehran has been re-established.
12. The officer commanding the operations has reported that the villages
have suffered greatly from the depredations of Hama Rashid’s followers. He also
reports that he hopes to make a peaceable settlement with the Kurds of Avroman I ow Ita-y
and Merivan.
13. It is feared that the unpunished outbreak of the Kurds at Rezaieh (see
paragraph 10 above) may have disturbing repercussions on the Baneh area.
Fars.
14. There have been fewer cases of brigandage on the roads, but the
situation as regards Nasir Qashgai remains much where it was. There is no fresh
information about the Boir Ahmadi and as yet no indication that the local
authorities are ready to take effective action against them. Meanwhile, they are
fighting each other.