Ext 5000/41(6) 'PERSIAN SITUATION: MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS' [‎410r] (819/920)

To: H.M. Consulate KERlvtANSHAH No. 54 (6P8/4/42 )
” H.M. Consulate AHWAZ ” 27 (6P8/4/42)
" H.M.V. -Consulate KHORRAMSHAHR u 17 ('698/4/42) * 2 3
MOST SECRET.
^ Sir,
I have to inform you that the question has
been raised "as to the attitude which the British
military authorities should adopt, if internal
security troubles arise among the civil population.
In this connection I enclose herewith the text of an
order issued by H.Q.Tenth Army, dated the 25th May.
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2. I have represented to the G.O.C. Tenth
Army that it seems desirable, if serious disorders
occur in a town occupied by British troops, that
there should be some degree of latitude allowed to
the military Commander on the spot as to possible
intervention to restore order. It seems to me that,
if British troop>s stand entirely aside and allow
continued looting, rape, burning and theft of valuable
stores of foodstuffs and other necessities in a t*ow~n
of which we are in occupation, without doing anything
to help to maintain order, then we risk losing a very
great deal of political and military prestige.
3. General Quinan informs me in reply that,
while the maintenance of internal law and order is
primarily a matter to be dealt with by the Persian
Government, and while he has just received the
strictest injunctions from G.H.Q., M.E., that British
Forces are not to co-operate with the Persian
Government in action against recalcitrant tribesmen
without formal sanction from those Headquarters, he
agrees to the arrangements suggested in the following
paragraphs:-
"In respect of the hypothetical case that
you advance of serious disorders occurring in a
town near which British troops are located, it
will be for the nearest British civil official
to/