Coll 28/112A ‘Persia. Tabriz – Monthly despatches of internal situation in Azerbaijan & misc. reports.’ [‎561r] (1124/1237)

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17,5,52*
IRAN MILIT vHY - POIITICAL OCKOtTIONS W RJ52AIBH.
Folld)wins is the text of the Iranian V/ar Minister's report
to the Prime Minister on his visit to Rezaieh and on the recent
events there:-
1* I submit my report below on my ooumey to Azerbaijan, the
recent events at Fezaieh, and the cmisos and results of the
Kurdish rebellion and plundering, my observations on the un
desirable situation there, and also on the steps taken to
assure temporary security and finally the measures that must
be taken without loss of time to establish security definitely
and for rrevention of probably even worse incidents,
2, On 4th Pay, accompanied by Dr# far zb an, the new tlstandar
of Hezaieh, and some officers, I left Tehran, V r e stopped the
nipht at razvin, and reached Tabriz the next evening at 10 p#m.,
after a short stay at 2enjan. The same evening I started pre
liminary invoxStigationo with Aghai Pahimi (Ustandar of Tabriz),
Dr# Maraban, and Colonel Hashemi, Chief of the Gendarmerie of
Azerbaijan, As a consequence, it was evident that the fundamental
cause of these events was, finally, the action of the Amnieh in
placing their posts round Rezaieh and the killing of three Kurds
by the A nieh, and secondly, the confidence of the ’hards that
the Russians would not oppose them.
3, It was therefore decided that discussions should first be
opened with General Melnikoff, General Officer Cotamanding the
Russian forces in Azerbaijan, who resides at Tabriz, and some
how solve the matter with him in a friendly manner. On 6th May
the General and a number of his senior officers were invited to
lunch efc the Ustandari# Discussion began after lunch and con
tinued until 6 p#m# The General stated that firstly the decent
events were, in general, due to the animosity and strife of the
population among themselves, the ancient enmity of the Kurds for
them, and recent actions by the Gendarmerie, and that some of the
plundering has been done by the people themselves, Secondly,
it was mentioned to the General that the insecurity and ruin of
villages and dispersal of the villagers has been due to the
spoiling of supplies and the appearance of famine, and that this
would affect not only the internal situation, but also the Russian
forces, so why had no help in solving the trouble been rendered
by the Russian authorities in response to repeated requests of
the Chief of Gendarmerie and the Ustandar?
4# The General made excuse: ” ince the affair concerns the in
ternal affairs of Iran and ¥^e never interfere in your current
internal work, thero^re intervention In this matter would, be
contrary to a general principle, which the Russian Commander has
adopted from the beginning#" It was mentioned to the General:
"You did not agree to our having sufficient forces in the 4th
Us tan and secondly the Funds, in the confidence of your help,
dafced to commit such dastardly acts#" Further, the General said tfc
that serious news received from Rezaieh and the surrounding district
was due to the instigation of Fascists and was to their profit
and not one per cent of it was true#
5# After this discussion and our hearing this sort of subject
it was decided to abandon flying to Rezaieh, but to go there
with Colonel Selivanon, Second-in-Co , mand df the Russian forces,
who was recently promoted Brigadier, and some other officers,