Coll 28/97(2) ‘Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎76r] (151/252)

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nunber of cadets by enlarging the niilitary- school, from which come a lar^e
proportion of cadets for the Military Academy*
7^ General St aff denial of boviet alle gations*
On 13th December a denial, enanr.tinrj from the Persian General Staff,
of certain accusations by radio I.'oscow and Baku in connection with American
military equipment, and interference by American military advisers, was
broadcast on Tehran radio. The Persian statement said that contrary to
Russian allegations no v/ar material from the United States under the agree
ment of October last had yet reached the shores of Persia, but that the
first consignment of this equipment, which was limited to items required by
the Persian Army for maintenance of internal security and the guarding of
its frontiers, and contained no heavy aggressive weapons of war, was due to
arrive in Persia on 15 th January, 19A-9* The statement continued that any
nation which did not itself manufacture v/eapons of v/ar must perforce import
those which its Army needed, and that before concluding the agreement with
America, Persia had enquired both from Russia and Britain regarding their
ability to supply the equipment required* The terms offered by the U.SrA.
being the most advantageous, Persia had naturally accepted them, as she had
every right to do, it being an entirely internal matter to be decided only
by the appropriate authority in Persia. Referring to the accusation of
interference in military affairs by the officers of the jjnerican Military
mission, the statement said that this v/as completely untrue, that the
American officers had no executive command and were used only in a technical
or administrative capacity. Though the statement that no weapons of war
from the U.S.A. have yet reached Persia is believed to be correct, a number
of Jeeps have recently arrived from the IT.S.A. and have been distributed to
the Army.
8. Fare Division*
General Mutazedi, the new G.O.C. 6th (PARS) Division, appears to
have made a good first impression in the district by his initial show of
energy. He quickly made a tour of all his outlying garrisons and is
reported as saying he found the people of Fars more lazy and undisciplined
than those of Isfahan - his previous command. Ho extended this view to
include the Army and he appears to be taking steps to tighten up the
discipline in his new division. This has manifested itself in one v/ay by
the cessation of attendance of Persian officers at British Council English
lessons. Though a rule has existed for some time that Persian Army
officers may not attend foreign institutes, this has not been strictly
observed in Shiraz and a number of officers were previously attending
English classes. There is no reason to believe that the enforcement by the
new G.O.C. of the existing rule is directed against the British. General
Kutazedi expressed a desire for friendship to H.K.Consul-Shiraz, and said
that British and Persian policy in tribal areas ran parallel. The General
has a daughter at school in England and his wife is also there at present.
Kerm an Divi sion^
Brigadier Sartipi, the new G.O.C. of the Kerman Division, has also
been displaying considerable energy since assuming command two months ago.
He has had his troops out on a number of exercises, one of which was recently
witnessed by the British Military Attache. Brigadier Sartipi was a cadet
at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, about 25 years ago and has recently
been in America in connection with the military equipment which is due to
start arriving next month. He is a forceful character with considerable
drive and since his arrival has organised a small flying column in 6 jeeps
and a wireless truck, and armed with machine carbines, with the object of
moving immediately to the assistance of the Gendarmerie or police in the
event of trouble being caused by tribal brigands.
/INTERNAL SECURITY.