Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎39r] (77/749)

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
PERSIA.
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SECRET.
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Sir R.
Bullard to Mr. Eden ,—(
Received October 22.)
(No. 313.)
HIS Majesty’s representative presents his compliments to His Majesty’s
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary No. 38 for the period the 16th to
22nd September, 1942. compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran, September 22, 1942.
Enclosure.
Military Attache’s Intelligence Summary No. 38 for the Period
September 16 to 22. 1942.
(Secret.)
Persian Affairs.
Political.
THE Prime Minister broadcast to the people of Persia on the anniversary
of the Shah’s accession. After some conventionally flattering references to the
Shah, he took the opportunity to warn Government servants against corrupt
practices; promised to give opportunities of service to educated youth; held out
the prospect of an extensive programme of public works, and stated that the
measures he was taking to ensure food supplies removed all causes for anxiety.
2. The uncompromising statement of Mr. Wendel Willkie referred to in
paragraph 19 below to the effect that only those who gave would get was some
thing of a shock to those Persians who hoped to be able to run with the hare and
hunt with the hounds, to get the benefit of lease-lend without committing them
selves to definite anti-Axis action. He had been greeted on his arrival by articles
in the press begging him to ensure economic aid to relieve Persia’s distress.
Mr. Willkie’s suggestion to the Shah and the Prime Minister that Persia should
identify herself more openly with the Allied cause drew the reply that the people
must first be prepared.
3. Colonel Mukhtari, head of the Tehran police in the later years of Reza
Shah’s reign, has been sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment with hard labour
for the instigation of the murder of various political prisoners (see also Summary
No. 31/42, paragraph 6).
Economic.
4. The preamble to the Bill for an increase in the note issue mentioned in
Summary No. 37 /42, paragraph 5, contains the following information :—
£
Sterling to the credit of the Persian Government
on the 26th May, 1942 ... ... .. ... 3,585,000
Purchases of sterling between the 26th May and
the 7th September ... ... ... ... 2,827,188
Total 6,412.188
Sterling credits on the 7th September ... ... 2,757,812
The difference has been used to finance purchases of goods in the British
Empire and the United States.
Importations have been :—
Rials.
Commercial 19,696 tons to a value of 207,520,000
On Government account 19,482 tons to a value of 77,230,000
[34—56]
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Totals
39.178 tons to a value of 284,750,000