Coll 28/111(2) ‘Persia. Kermanshah – Political Diaries.’ [‎31r] (61/150)

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SECRET
Despatch No 20
to Foreign Office
& No 19 to Tehran.
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KERMANSHAH
MONTHLY
DIARY
July 1946
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GENERAL:
1. During the month, public interest was focussed
on the development of the new ’’Democratic Party of Iran” to
the exclusion of almost all other matters. The announcement
of its formation produced a lull of uncertainty, both Right
and Left-wing parties holding their applause or criticism
until some indication of its eventual form should appear.
Public reaction, too, was uncertain. V/hile support was event
ually forthcoming from a group of influential landowners and
notables of the right wing, before the names of the central
committee were published, there were some interesting and
significant exceptions (c.f. para 12 beftow). The cautious
and those too deeply involved in the political game to take
any step precipitately, refrained from associating them
selves with the main movement to acknowledge the party and
consulted the Delphic Oracle of H.M. Consulate where classical
equivocation was handed out to them. The Tudeh party and
sympathisers, on the other hand, appeared slightly non
plussed. Articles in the ’Bisitun' newspaper tended to show
that their first impulse was to accept a party inaugurated by
’’the only honest man in the Tehran Government”. That the
articles were written after rightist support, in the form
of a telegram, had been offered to the Prime Minister,
pointed to some knowledge or feeling on the part of the Tudeh
that the party was not going to be a windfall for the Right
wing, and comment was limited to vindicating the ’democratic’
aims of the party in a few articles in the press. Political
activity was reduced to a minimum, though H.M. Consulate
received its daily batch of enquiries, and the situation
remained obscure throughout the month. Events in Xhuzistan
received no more than casual recognition.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
2. On the 21 st July, the Governor-General received
a telegram from the Prime Minister recalling him to the
capital. He left on July 23rd for Tehran, where it is said
that he has been appointed Assistant in some personal capacity
to Qavam-as-Saltaneh. Up to the time of his removal, M. Nikpey
had resolutely pursued his policy of strengthening right wing
opposition to the Tudeh and, where insurmountable opposition
was not encountered, he had directed local affairs v/ith
exemplary efficiency. His frankly pro-British attitude and
administrative zeal may have been the cause of his recall,
although another school of thought considered that a more
important job awaited him. The two alternatives are not
necessarily incompatible for, while the Prime Minister might
wish to withdraw Nikpey from a position where he incurred
Xudeh censure and give him an insignificant post under personal
surveillance, it is just as possible that his undoubted
qualities had been found worthy of better employment. A clue
to the correct interpretation may be provided by the appointment
of his successor. Meanwhile, SANI’I, the senile Governor is
left in charge.
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