Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎238v] (476/749)

Imperialist Powers were sometimes forced to seek the help of and to profess
svmpathv with freedom-loving Russia, but once they had achieved their purpose
t^ey 5 reverted to type, as witness British support of the reactionaries in Belgium
Grice, Italy and Persia. If the Persian people thought that Great Britain would
protect them they should ask the oppressed people of Egypt, Iraq and 1 alestme
what they thought of British protection.
5 To counter the “Freedom Front" formed by papers under Russian
influence, an “ Independence Front " has been formed by twenty-eight other
papers These include the less disreputable and more or less independent papers.
They have made some bold and outspoken attacks on Soviet policy and on its
instrument, the Tudeh party. Of the half-dozen whose suppression was asked
for by the Soviet Ambassador, three have been suppressed. On the other hanci,
seven of the pro-Russian papers have been suppressed for attacks on the
Government. _ , , .... f
6. The debate on the programme of the Government produced criticisms ox
previous Governments for over-subservience to demands of foreign Powers, an
insistence on the preservation of balance in foreign relations and bitter attacks
on Dr Millspaugh. The Prime Minister promised that he would make dehmte
proposals regarding the future of Dr. Millspaugh within ten days—that is, by
the 14th December. The Government was given a vote of confidence by
75. Deputies, 9 opposing and 16 abstaining. It is probable that tne Prime Minister
will insist on the retirement of Dr. Millspaugh or on a drastic curtailment of his
^ 7. Nasrullah Intezam, Minister of Roads and Communications, has been
appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Persian Forces.
8. Sartip Muhammad Bagher Hushmand Afshar, who directed the recent
operations at Merivan and Baneh, has been awarded the 1st class Medal of Merit.
A / ppointments — Military.
9. Sartip Mansour Muzayyinni has resumed command of the 2nd (Tehran)
Division (see Summary No. 41/44, paragraph 11 (ii)).
Internal Security.
10. Persian forces have now occupied Sardasht in addition to Baneh. The
General Staff profess to be satisfied with the military situation in this now
that Hama Rashid has been detained by the Iraqi authorities. Their desire to
occupy Mahabad with an adequate garrison has again been blwked by the
Russians who, after holding out some hope, have recently given a definite refusal.
There is, however, some anxiety regarding the supply situation of the Persian
garrisons in Baneh and Sardasht. Snow has probably already blocked the roads
for motor transport and the amount of supplies now stocked m Baneh is totally
inadequate for the needs of the troops until the spring.
Khuzistan.
11. It is now reported that some 1,500 rifles have been collected from the
Beni Turuf Further operations seem to be hanging fire pending negotiations
between the Persian and Iraqi Governments for the surrender or disarmament
of certain sections of the tribe who have taken refuge in Iraq.
Fars.
12. There has been some raiding by Boir Ahmadis of villages in the
neighbourhood of Semirum and Shahreza. Flocks of sheep have been carried off,
including 300 from the Darashuri families, who had been left by Nasir Qashgai
near Semirum for the express purpose of preventing Boir Ahmadi raiding.
East Persia.
13. The gang of brigands, eleven in all, who carried out the attack on
U.K.C.C. trucks, mentioned in paragraph 13 of Summary No. 44/44, have been
captured. It is probable that the leaders at least will be executed.