109. Telegram From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State1
778. Personal for Secretary. FonMin Aram tells me that after my two-hour session with Shah Thanksgiving Day (Embtel 776),2 Shah told him he and I had laid all our cards on table. But Shah, according to Aram, still asks, “Why don’t Americans understand we want to be their friends?”
From Washington, world situation may look different, but from here I (hopefully not just due to localitis) believe that Shah remains true friend of everything in which we believe and that we can ill afford disaffection of another country. Accordingly, I would appreciate your personal intervention with White House to break loose long-delayed paper-work re second tranche of our military program with Iran. It should be with interest rate of four percent. If this unsalable please get it out whatever the rate but hopefully less than five percent.
Aram also recalled your conversation with Shah last April in which you proposed periodic (3 to 6 months) reviews of all subjects of mutual interest. Shah and I are getting along fine. But in his present blue mood, Shah needs evidence that Washington still loves him. Therefore, please do your best to assure that in foreseeable future some high ranking U.S.G. official drops in at Tehran to hold Shah’s hand. Aram suggested you yourself during one of your travels. He agreed, however, that George Ball or Averell Harriman could do the job.
I cannot stress too strongly that our relations with Iran are at cross-roads. Shah wants to go on same course with U.S. I am sure this is in our country’s interest.
If feasible, show this message to President. Despite poison of Gudarzian fiasco, Shah trusts President, recalling his visit here in 1962. Shah asks little. Can’t we keep this country in free world camp?
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL IRAN-U.S.. Confidential; Limdis.↩
- Document 108.↩