861.24591/3–2446: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iran (Murray)45
most immediate
238. We fully approve position taken by you as outlined in your 383, 385, 387 and 391 [300].46 It is important that no one should obtain false impression that our determination to carry out our obligations under the Charter and the Iran Declaration has been influenced in the slightest by a selfish interest on our part in Iranian petroleum. Please make it clear, therefore, in case Iranian officials again refer to possibility of petroleum concessions for us in Baluchistan (urtel 384) that any American interest in the Baluchistan fields which may exist has no relationship whatsoever with our efforts to prevail upon the Russians to remove their troops and we prefer that this interest be not discussed in connection with withdrawal of Soviet troops and related problems.
Repeated to London as 2606. Repeated to Moscow as 542. Repeated to US Delegation—New York as #1.
- Marginal notation by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs, Henderson: “Sent at personal suggestion of the Secretary.”↩
- For telegrams 383, 387, and 392, of March 22, March 23, and March 24, respectively, see pp. 369, 373, and 376. Telegram 385, March 23, 11 a.m., not printed, but see footnote 41, p. 374.↩