Ext 5000/41(6) 'PERSIAN SITUATION: MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS' [‎213r] (425/920)

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[This telegram is of particular secrecy and should be
~ retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on.J
[ CYPHER] WAR CABINET DISTRIBUTION ^ CU^cuS ^ /i
FROM: PERSIA*
FROM TEIiRAN TO FOREIGN OFFICE.
Sir R. Bullard. D. 9*00.p.m. 19th November, 1942*
No. 1462 R. 2.15.a.m. 20th November, 1942*
19th November, 1942.
Repeated to Minister of State Cairo No. 508.
Minbranch No. 70
Kuibyshev No. 505
India No. 555_
Srasningxon wo. 551
] via Foreign Office.
IMMEDIATE,
&
My telegram No. 1455.
?v
Sf, ^ /T&x
Prime Minister finally decided to propose that the Majlis
should grant full powers he had requested subject to his
assurance that he would not use them in connexion with press,
public security and certain other matters* and that if he
seemed unlikely to succeedin this he would propose transfer of
currency powers to Commission or at least secure issue of
1,000,000,000 rials. In the event long and stormy session
ended with nothing done.
2. Prime Minister then summoned me and Russian and American
representatives and said that either he must resign or Majlis must
go. We three consulted amongst ourselves and agreed that these
were the only alternatives, that we did not think any other person
available would make better Prime Minister and that in any case
we could not in this difficult time contemplate long period
of inaction and confusion which always results from a change oi
Government.
3. The Shah summoned me and asked my opinion* I tol^ ^ lln
the view of myself and my two colleagues. He was concerned,
partly because of the possible effect of on ^- • ,+
public opinion but also because he feared that the Prime Minister
if freed from the check provided by the Mailis might try to
reduce the power of the Crown. I said that if we favoured,
dissolution it was in order to get on with the war and not to
enable the Prime Minister to bring abput f u 5^- ara ®P^ a I changes but
that I was sure he had no such intention. Ihe Shah seemed
reassured and seemed convinced himself that the iv-ajlis must go.
As I left he assured me that in any case the Allies would have
their rials on November 21st.
4. Foreign Office please pass to India and to Kuibyshev.
[Copies sent to Mr. Armstrong] r
l Repeated to Kuibyshev under Foreign Office NoJ.601: copies sent
to India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. for repetition to India].