296. Telegram From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State0
298. In conversation with Shah last evening he raised question of current elections and talked on subject for some time. He said he was disturbed by spate of stories in local press re lack of freedom in elections and many allegations of outright crookedness. His investigations showed that elections were improperly handled only in Tabriz and a few small towns and these are being held over again. In respect to other major cities he had found no indication of malpractice. In Tehran, he plans play active role in supervision and stated categorically that elections would be fair and honest. Re Kashan he said that he planned let Saleh,1 whom he considers very left wing, run but, by putting up a highly qualified opponent, he expects Saleh will be fairly defeated.
In reply to Shah’s several requests during conversation for my views I took general line that Shah’s public assurances concerning freedom of elections, together with lists of candidates put forward by two parties2 with his approval, have produced excellent impression in country and have had repercussions favorable to Shah both here and elsewhere. Now that elections have begun it is my personal hope they will be carried out in manner publicly prescribed by Shah and that developments will not spoil very good reaction which Shah’s words and actions have brought about both at home and abroad.
Shah concluded discussion of subject by saying that while he blamed some of the current criticism on unfortunate statements by two party leaders basic problem is current Iranian election laws are entirely inadequate and lead to abuses. He plans therefore to present probably to next Majlis new law which will provide for registration of voters, proper identification at polls, and ballots along American lines.
Comment: According to our information, Shah has taken active role in elections since beginning. He publicly promised elections would be free. He personally approved list of candidates both parties, and removal therefrom of a number of corrupt individuals who had long been in Majlis and whose non-appearance on list created very favorable initial impression. Shah also apparently determined in advance that Mellpyum Party should win majority and endeavored arrange this by selection strong candidates and weak rivals for certain constituencies. [Page 693] However arrangements badly handled and things went awry; some candidates not as strong as supposed; other candidates who were supposed to lose either were not notified of this or objected, pointing to Shah’s open promise of free elections. No doubt also local officials on own initiative have acted irregularly on behalf of government candidates. As result, press has been filled with complaints re rigging. Resultant political ferment has doubtless had its effect on Shah, who, we believe, has belatedly attempted correct some of the most obvious irregularities and may now be influenced to permit election of some independents whom he originally had no intention of allowing to sit in Majlis. He may thereby recoup some of the favor he gained by his initial action, but there is no doubt atmosphere has been greatly spoiled by messy handling of electoral procedures. We have no doubt however that Shah still determined Melliyum will win majority and that this will be the case. Even if Melliyum does win by artificial arrangements, many winning candidates both parties will be new men probably as yet untainted by large-scale corruption, and if cases major electoral irregularities are corrected and a few of the more popular independents are permitted be elected, general effect on public may still be on plus side despite negative developments since lists of candidates were published.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 788.00/8–460. Confidential.↩
- Alayar Saleh, Nationalist Party successor to Mossadeq.↩
- The two parties were the pro-Shah Melliyum Party and the official opposition Mardom Party.↩
In telegram 406 to Tehran, August 10, Lewis Jones informed Wailes that a State-CIA informal survey concluded that day “that Iranian election picture in provinces one of confused manipulation pointing to the conclusion that there would be no concrete improvement in the overall political stature or prestige of the Shah or government.” The Department stated that it relied on Wailes to help “ensure that elections in Tehran at least have a complexion as free from rigging as possible in the circumstances.” (Department of State, Central Files, 788.00/8–460)
The August 10 “Synopsis of State and Intelligence Material reported to the President,” by John Eisenhower reads:
“Current parliamentary elections are obviously rigged and disorders have broken out in several provincial constituencies. The Shah’s involvement in the rigging makes it certain that his own position and his government will be weakened.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries)
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