"F 80 ملف 82/34 I امتياز أ.ب.و.ك" [و‎‎٢‎٣‎٠] (٤٣٦/٤٠٤)

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(xovernment has thought fit to adopt towards Persia. We have therefore no
objection to the matter's being laid before the Council. Should the Council
intend examining whether the Persian Government was or was not entitled
to cancel the concession, it is obvious that the Council will deem it necessary
to wait until a Persian representative can attend. We consider, moreover,
that prior to adopting any attitude whatsoever the Council must first hear
the Persian Government's statement. As the discussion of this question will
require the presence of a special representative who will have to be sent
from Tehran, and as the documents are at present in that city, it will be
materially impossible for the Council to begin its examination of the matter
immediately. Furthermore, as the Persian Government has already stated
that pending an agreement with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company it has
pqt taken and has no intention of taking any measures against that under-
there is no reason for considering the matter as urgent."
As you will realise, my Government is only asking for the necessary time
to send as its representatives special delegates, who will have to come from
Tehran. I therefore propose that the Council should adjourn until they arrive.
On reading the British memorandum I was glad to see that in paragraph 35
the United Kingdom Government states : " His Majesty's Government are most
anxious that the present dispute shall not disturb the friendly relations which
have hitherto existed between the Persian Government and themselves and they
have every hope that the action of the Council will result in amicable and
equitable settlement of the dispute." It adds that His Majesty's Government
will do everything in their power to co-operate to this end.
As the Persian Government is no less anxious than the United Kingdom
Government to maintain the friendly relations which exist between the two
countries and by which they have been united for many years, may I venture,
without anticipating my Government's opinion, to put forward a personal
consideration. I wonder whether the present situation really necessitated an
appeal to article 15?
In conclusion, I renew my proposal for an adjournment pending the arrival
of the special delegates who will be provided with the necessary documents and
instructions.
THE PRESIDENT : My colleagues will join me, I am sure, in expressing
the Council's satisfaction with the action taken by the Secretary-General and
with what he proposed to do by way of preparation for our work.
Pending the Persian Government's communication of its statement and the
completion of the Secretary-General's arrangements as provided for in article 15
of the Covenant, the Council might perhaps decide at once to place this question
on the agenda of its next ordinary session on the 23rd January, 1933.
I think I shall be voicing the unanimous view of the Council by expressing
to the two parties its full confidence that nothing will be done that might prejudice
the Council's action or aggravate or enlarge the dispute. May I add that the
procedure which it is the clear duty of the Council to follow does not, of course,,
exclude the possibility of an understanding between the two parties.
The procedure proposed hy the President was approved.
(M. Sepahbodi withdrew.)
The Deputy Secretary-General withdrew and his place was taken by the
Secretary-General.
[663 ff—2] B 2