501.BC/5–2246: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iran (Allen)
us urgent most immediate
451. SC member has expressed to Stettinius his concern that Ala’s forthright statements to Council today (Summary of proceedings being sent you separate tel46) may result in his being recalled or repudiated by Qavam. Ala’s statements were made in reply to specific questions from Council members and, in view recent reports from Tehran, appear to have gone beyond his definite instructions. Member feels strongly Ala has rendered outstanding service to Council and that it would be most unfortunate for UN if he were to be recalled or repudiated. He expressed hope Dept might request you to use your influence so that Qavam will not recall or repudiate Ala.
[Page 478]We feel that recall or repudiation of Ala at this time would impair ability of Council to give aid to Iran and hope Qavam will refrain from taking precipitous action against Ala under Soviet pressure. Ala has told us that, while he may have gone beyond specific instructions in certain instances, he feels he has properly interpreted Qavam’s factual cables and has taken action which Qavam would instruct if Iran were not under Soviet pressure. In any event he has felt it his duty as representative of Iran to speak out truthfully in the interests his country regardless consequences to himself. It should be stated Ala has followed this course of action on own decision and has not been influenced by Dept to go beyond his instructions.
Sent Tehran repeated Moscow as Dept’s 953, and New York as Dept’s 70.
- No. 453, May 22, not printed; it furnished the text of telegram 223, printed supra.↩