891.50/9–2547: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
928. An important aspect of American policy in Iran, it seems to me, should be to show active interest of US in improvement of conditions of Iran workers and peasants. Continued Soviet allegations that we are concerned only with reactionary ruling class in Iran has some effect there if nothing is done to counteract it. Occasion for action along this line occurred during my last conversation with Qavam. I referred with regret to his reported decision to suppress Ministry of Labor and to transfer its functions to Ministry of National Economy. I said US was anxious to see progressive measures taken here to elevate general standard of living and welfare of the common people, [Page 958] and that, although he had made many speeches re reform, one of few practical steps he had actually been able to take had been creation of a Minister of Labor. I knew that heavy pressure was being exercised against Labor Minister by two extreme Iranian groups, wealthy factory owners particularly from Ispahan and the Tudeh Party.1 The latter’s opposition resulted from usual Communistic animosity against anyone other than a Communist who presumed to have an interest in the common man. I hoped very much the Cabinet would reconsider its decision.2
Qavam alleged that decision had been primarily on budgetary difficulty in creating a new Ministry, seemed impressed by my discussion and promised to have matter reopened.
It is interesting to report that in a subsequent conversation with First Secretary Ross of British Embassy I informed him of my representations to Qavam in this matter. He said that by coincidence his Embassy had just received instructions from London to make strong representations to Qavam along same lines.3
Sent Department 928; Department pass Cairo 148 and London 119.
- The Communist Party in Iran.↩
- In telegram 598, October 1, to Tehran, the Department concurred with Ambassador Allen’s “expression of concern to Qavam concerning his reported decision suppress Min of Labor and transfer its functions to Min National Economy. We feel it highly important at present time that not only should Iranian Govt not revert to reactionary labor and land policies, but definite action be taken at once to demonstrate more progressive attitude toward workers and peasants.” (891.50/9–2547)↩
- In telegram 5334, October 3, the Embassy in London reported information from the Foreign Office that the Iranian Prime Minister had no intention of permitting the Labor Ministry to be appended to another Ministry (891.00/10–347).↩