Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎371r] (741/807)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT 2
Cv*
ril 8, 1942.
Section 3.
Copy No. 9 <
Sir R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—(Received April 8.)
(No. 87.) . . . . , .
HIS Majesty’s representative presents his compliments to His Majestys
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary No. 11 for the period the 11th to l/th
March. 1942, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran,-March 17. 1942.
PERSIA.
SECRET.
[E 2186/19/341
A]
Enclosure.
(Secret.)
Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No.
March 11-17, 1942.
11 for the Period
Persian A ff airs.
Political.
- THE new Cabinet and its programme received an almost unanimous vote
of approval in the Majlis on the 12th March. The Deputies were, it seems, a
little ashamed of their previous exhibition of capriciousness and irresponsibility;
and a little frightened of the possible results of their demonstration of their own
unfitness for democratic government. They are well aware that there are
aspirants to another dictatorship.
2. The change of Government cannot be interpreted as an indication of
' public displeasure with the treaty, as the new Prime Minister was, as Minister
for Foreign Affairs, intimately connected with the treaty negotiations. He
intends to retain the portfolio of the Interior, but to hand over that of Foreign
Affairs when the nominee he has in view, who is believed to be one of t)he Persian
representatives now abroad, r reaches Tehran. Ali Soheily is a man of some
/Aw. - 9 courage and energy, untroubled by too fine scruples. He starts with the advantage
; vis-a-vis his own countrymen of having formed his Government without being
/Kf influenced by foreign pressure.
3. The programme of the Government, as published in the press, is as
follows :—
(i) In foreign policy, while upholding the interests of the country, to
implement all the treaties in force and particularly to collaborate
closely with those Governments whose interests are linked with those
of Persia.
(ii) The reform of laws with a view to ensuring a more complete juridical
security, and of other laws not consistent with actualities.
I (iii) The reform and strengthening of the organisation of the army and
security forces.
(iv) To make every possible effort to assure food supplies.
(v) To overhaul economic and financial affairs, taxation and expenditure.
commercial regulations, and to ensure budgetary equilibrium.
(vi) To pay particular attention to agriculture, to the improvement of the
condition of peasants, to the extension of irrigation; to effecting a
gradual reduction in the cultivation and use of opium.
(vii) The improvement of national industries and of the living conditions of
the working classes.
[28—32]