891.00/5–1346: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received 4:10 p.m.]
680. Qavam informed me this morning that Pishevari on Azerbaijan delegation who returned to Tabriz today, left in an angry mood. Qavam feels that their annoyance is due primarly to failure to achieve positive results and is not directed against him personally since Azerbaijan representatives seem convinced that he wishes to follow conciliatory policy and avoid fratricidal bloodshed.
Following rupture of negotiations, Soviet Ambassador told Qavam that while he regarded matter as internal one, he was afraid Qavam’s continued failure to reach agreement with Azerbaijan would result in “iron and blood”. Qavam feels Soviet Ambassador is putting pressure on him rather than on Azerbaijanis.
Qavam, as appears to be his custom, asked my advice. I said that it would seem to me his duty and responsibility to make a clear and frank public statement now regarding the negotiations. He hesitated [Page 461] to agree, saying that such statement would annoy Azerbaijanis and might lead to agitation in other Northern Provinces and even in Tehran itself. He said Azerbaijan Government might react to his public statement by declaring that it would have no further dealings with him. I said that while decision was his alone, there were occasions on which responsible official must take measures he considered proper and just in spite of difficulties and that Qavam might well consider this such occasion.
Qavam asked several times what assistance Security Council could give Iran if fighting should result. I said I wanted to speak to him in all frankness and sincerity. I would not advise Iran to approach Security Council again unless two conditions existed: (1) his Government must be confident it could establish clear case of foreign interference in Iranian affairs and be willing to place all evidence unreservedly before Council, and (2) his Government must be prepared to pursue the matter firmly, regardless of any pressure which might later be exerted by any government on him to change his course. I said Security Council had been able to render Iran certain aid in the past in spite of difficulties made for Council by wavering policy of Iranian Govt particularly as regards conflicting statements made by Ala in New York and Firuz in Tehran.
I referred to press reports that Soviet Ambassador had been present at meeting between Qavam and Pishevari, pointing out that this close association of Soviet Ambassador in discussions with Qavam’s acquiescence might make it difficult for Iran subsequently to establish case before the Security Council of Soviet interference in internal Iranian matters. Soviet representative in New York could state that his Govt had been invited to participate. Qavam said he appreciated point and repeated that Soviet Ambassador’s presence had been fortuitous and had, at any rate, been in accord with Soviet assurances of assistance in Azerbaijan negotiations.
It is evident that Qavam desires more specific assurances than he has received of positive aid which the Council can give to Iran. He thought mere commission of inquiry would be of little assistance. I told him that I did not believe he appreciated sufficiently aid which World Organization could give him if he gave it full opportunity.
In addition to points of difference with Azerbaijan already known, i.e., control of Azerbaijan Army and finances, and appointment of Governor General, Qavam revealed further point of disagreement which may be highly important. While Qavam agrees to plan for division of public domain among peasants, Azerbaijan delegation demands that Tehran Govt immediately redeem all ceded domains for distribution among peasants. Ceded domains are those previously granted by Crown and may have been sold subsequently many times. [Page 462] Qavam said latter would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase. As regards future, Qavam said that he would issue statement regarding negotiations and leave next move to Azerbaijan.
Sent Dept 680, repeated Moscow 192, and Paris.