Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎96r] (191/749)

FILE COPY
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Copy No. I ] Q
Sir R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—(Received 21 ^^ May )
(No. 175.)
IIIS 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. 18 for the period of 27th April to
3rd May, 1943, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran, 5th May, 1943.
(Secret.)
Enclosure.
Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No. 18 for the period 21th April to
?>rd May. 1943.
Political.
Persian Affairs.
THERE has been a slight stiffening of the attitude of the Government.
Further papers have been suppressed; the first five articles of the Bill for the
grant of powers to Dr. Millspaugh have passed the second reading in the Majlis;
overt agitation against Government action against the Qashgai has ceased, indeed
articles have appeared in the press calling attention to the failure of the Govern
ment to protect the people of Ears against their depredations; and the turbulent
Deputy Nowbakht has been suspended from the Majlis for seven days for an
unparliamentary attack on the Minister for War. But there is no cause yet for
rejoicing. Only continual urging saves the Prime Minister from giving way to
vested interests. Laxity and corruption in all administrations throughout* the
country have reached an unprecedented degree. The cost of living has risen to
such heights that Government employees, including army officers, on small fixed
incomes must either steal of starve. Indiscipline is common in all Government
departments, and noticeably bad in the army.
2 . Due to fear of the Military Governor, political party meetings are less
active in Tehran. The Tudeh party wished to stage a demonstration on the
1 st May, but was forbidden to do so by the Military Governor. It is understood
that Abbas Iskandari, who was reported in Summary No. 14/43, paragraph 2 . to
be leading one section of the Tudeh party, has now been deserted by his followers.
Economic.
3. The critical period for Tehran's bread supply appears to have passed.
1,400 tons of grain reached Tehran by rail and road in the five days preceding
the 26th April, and there is now a reserve for eight days. The Russians have
undertaken to deliver at the Caspian ports 7,500 tons of wheat per month,
beginning towards the end of May, until their promise of 25,000 tons is fulfilled"
In certain provincial towns there is still shortage and much profiteering on the
j black market, but everywhere there are prospects of a bumper harvest. A Govern
ment commission has gone to Khuzestan to arrange for the collection of the
harvest, which is already being reaped. In the provinces of Ears and Isfahan
much of the wheat-growing areas are now in the control of rebel tribal chiefs, and
unless military operations are undertaken to re-establish Government authority
in those areas, it is unlikely that much of their wheat will reach the Government
stores.
4. It is understood that Dr. Millspaugh is faced with a serious situation in
regard to the current year’s budget, and that after making all possible economies
he finds himself faced with a deficit of not less than 600 million rials on the
ordinary budget. In addition, he has to find an increase of at least 300 million
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