358 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1944, VOLUME V Mr. Shayesteh reviewed the negotiations which took place last year for an executive agreement covering the presence of American forces in Iran. He said that it had been his impression, gained from conversations with Mr. Paul Alling 22 and others, that the United States Government had not desired to press for an agreement on this subject and inquired whether this was still the case. Mr. Allen replied that the initiative in requesting the agreement had come from the Iranians and that the United States Government had in fact not pressed for completion of an agreement but that once negotiations had been inaugurated the United States War and State Departments had carried them on vigorously in order to arrive at a successful conclusion. This was confirmed by Mr. Dreyfus. The Minister said that his Government had in the end objected to the executive agreement as drafted on the grounds that it was too long and complicated and did not protect Iranian interests fully. He mentioned particularly that the agreement would exempt from income tax payments large numbers of foreigners such as Syrians, Iraqis, et cetera, who are employed by the United States Army and are making large profits from war contracts, although Iranians in similar positions would be required to pay the tax. His Government would like to abandon the present draft and resume negotiations for an agreement along the lines of the Tripartite Pact.23 If the United States Government objected to this the Iranian Government would be willing to proceed on the basis of the draft already under consideration but wished to suggest a number of amendments. He said that he had received full instructions from his Government by mail. but has just telegraphed to Tehran for certain information, after which he would approach the Department with a suggested draft. 811.24591/38: Telegram The Chargé in Iran (Ford) to the Secretary of State TEHRAN, May 18, 1944-9 a. m. [Received 2:30 p. m.] 349. Recent difficulties between Persian Gulf Command railway service and Iranian Ministry of Communications have again brought out uncertainty of position of our military forces vis-à-vis Iranian. Government, in absence of any formal agreement covering presence of American troops in Iran. It would be appreciated if the Depart "Paul H. Alling, Deputy Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs. 23 Treaty of Alliance between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, and Iran, signed at Tehran, January 29, 1942, British and Foreign State Papers, vol. CXLIV, p. 1017; for correspondence regarding the attitude of the United States toward this treaty, see Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. IV, pp. 263 ff. ment would inform the Legation whether any progress being made in negotiation of such an agreement. FORD 811.24591/38: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran (Ford) WASHINGTON, May 20, 1944-6 p. m. 315. Your 349, May 18. There have been no developments in matter of agreement covering presence of our forces in Iran since the conversation between officers of Department and Iranian Minister on March 4. Copy of the memorandum of this conversation was sent to you. Iranian Minister states that immediately after this conversation he requested new instructions from his Government but has as yet received no reply. Department suggests you inquire of Iranian authorities whether they still desire to conclude such an agreement and, if so, when the Department may expect to receive the Iranian counter draft which it is understood was to be prepared. HULL 811.24591/38: Telegram The Chargé in Iran (Ford) to the Secretary of State TEHRAN, June 6, 1944-5 p. m. [Received June 6-1:18 p. m.] Prime Minister 24 states that 404. Department's 315, May 20. suggestions regarding troop agreement which Shayesteh sent by mail have never been received. Iranian Government still desires to conclude agreement and has prepared new proposals to be carried to Washington by Ebtahaj 25 this month for delivery to Shayestah. Prime Minister is unwilling to consider agreement on criminal jurisdiction over troops until after conclusion of the general agreement. FORD 711.91/8-1244 Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Murray) 20 [Extract] 26 [WASHINGTON,] August 15, 1944. [A few sentences of remarks by the Shah made to the British Chargé, Daniel W. Lascelles, are here omitted.] . . . there are un 24 Mohammed Saed. 25 Abol Hassan Ebtehaj, Director of the Central Bank (Banque Mellie) of Iran. 26 Addressed to the Secretary of State and the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius). fortunately grounds for the Shah's resentment against us arising from the President's visit to Tehran last December.27 As you will recall, when the President arrived in Tehran the Shah made a courtesy call upon him and expected that the call would be returned. The Shah and Iranian officialdom felt deeply offended when, for reasons that are not clear, it was not found practicable for the President to return the call or even to drive by the Royal Palace on his way to the airfield to return to this country. The Iranians felt all the more resentful over what they regarded as an omission in elementary courtesy, since Marshal Stalin took particular pains to pay a personal visit on the Shah, with whom he remained for two hours. The Iranians were particularly struck by the fact that Stalin came to the Shah's palace without guards or attendants. An additional reason why the Iranians became offended with us was the announcement made by the President, after his return, that there had been a plot, during his stay in Tehran, to kill the distinguished visitors. The Iranians interpreted this remark to mean that they had instigated such a plot which, as they pointed out, would have violated all laws of hospitality which are highly cherished in Iran. WALLACE MURRAY 711.91/8-1244: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran (Ford) WASHINGTON, August 23, 1944-10 p. m. 526. As regards the Shah's reference to the "refusal" of the United States to sign a treaty regularizing presence of American troops in Iran, you are requested to remind him, whenever an occasion arises, that the American Government has been ready to sign such an agreement for many months and that the agreement was in fact on the point of signature last December 28 when the Iranian Government suddenly declined to sign. The grounds for this action by Iran have never been adequately explained. The Iranian Minister in Washington informed Dept several months ago that his Government was preparing a counterproposal. He now states that although he has subsequently telegraphed his Government on the subject, he has had no reply. 27 For documentation on the Tehran Conference between President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Churchill, and Soviet Premier Stalin, November 27-December 1, 1943, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, pp. 457 ff. 28 See memorandum of December 8, 1943, by the Minister in Iran, Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. IV, p. 484. The American Government is not pressing for the agreement, but the Shah's description of the situation, if correctly reported, is entirely unwarranted. HULL 711.91/9-744: Telegram The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State TEHRAN, September 7, 1944-3 p. m. [Received 5:36 p. m.] 671. ReDepts 526 August 23. On the occasion of presentation of my credentials the Shah expressed himself as displeased at the failure of the United States to sign the troop agreement. I said I understood it was the Iranian Government which was delaying signature and the Prime Minister intervened to say the matter was receiving attention and he hoped to send new proposals to Washington by the recently appointed Iranian Ambassador. Before doing so he said he wished to have a conference on the question with the Ambassador and me. MORRIS 740.00119 European War 1939/9-2244 No. 37 The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State TEHRAN, September 22, 1944. [Received October 3.] SIR: I have the honor to report that the Iranian Government, Majlis and press have lately shown increased interest in the question of compensation to be obtained by Iran from the Allied nations for the asserted sacrifices she has made and assistance she has rendered in furtherance of the cause of the United Nations. It appears to be taken for granted in all quarters that compensation is due. As an example, there is enclosed herewith a translation of some remarks made by the Shah 29 on this subject a few days ago before a group composed of the Cabinet, the President of the Court of Cassation, the governors of the National and Agricultural Banks, the Chief of Police, the Mayor of Tehran, and various other important persons, including newspapermen. Nothing has as yet been published which would indicate the form of compensation desired. Deputies of the Majlis and some newspapers have been urging the Government to expedite the drawing up of the bill which, it would seem, is to be rendered to the Allied powers at 29 Not printed. 554-184-65- -24 the conclusion of hostilities, and the Prime Minister has given assurances that the matter is receiving attention. Apart from whatever else may be under way in this connection, the Embassy knows that Dr. Burdett Lewis of the Millspaugh Mission 31 is engaged in assembling data for use in the presentation of Iran's case. Although no approach of any kind has been made to the Embassy as yet, I think it may be regarded as certain that Iran will look to the United States as well as Great Britain and Russia for settlement of her claims, whatever they may be, and I feel the Department should be forewarned. Respectfully yours, For the Ambassador: 811.24591/9-2644: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iran (Morris) WASHINGTON, September 28, 1944-4 p. m. 590. The Iranian Minister, under instructions from his Government, has informed the Department that rumors are current in Tehran that American troops may be withdrawn from the country in the near future. The Minister expressed the hope of his Government that certain American military supplies, including notably food, drugs and clothing, might be left in Iran when the American troops withdraw. He said that you have already been approached by the Iranian Foreign Minister in this matter.32 The Minister was informed that according to information the Department has received from the War Department, no action in regard to the movement of American troops in Iran is being contemplated, other than the possible withdrawal of some troops as a result of the discontinuance of the truck route. HULL 891.24/9-2944 The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State No. 56 TEHRAN, September 29, 1944. [Received October 13.] SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a translation of a note received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs which states the ex 31 For correspondence regarding the American adviser program in Iran, see pp. 390 ff. 32 Mohammed Saed, Iranian Prime Minister and also Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed a note dated September 25 in the above sense to the Ambassador in Iran, which the latter transmitted to the Department in his despatch No. 56, September 29, infra. |