Coll 28/112B Persia. Tabriz. Monthly dispatches of internal situation in Azerbaijan, & misc: reports.’ [‎86r] (172/451)

Tabriz Diary for 1947
January,
*'0. 1
It was clear that, with the collenFe of tho Azerbaijan lenocrat artv
and tha resumption of control by tbe Central Government, tbe latter would v e
open to unbeeitating and articulate critic!from their blende in Azerbai
jan ag well as from their enemies. ^h* Azerbaijan reonle were fblly consci
ous of the fact that, but for their cooperation, Tehran would have found it
exceedingly difficult to drive out righevari and his associates, and they
were not disposed to let the Central Government forget this or to accept,
without question, whatever the Government might be prepared to give them,
Consequently, at the beginning of the month they availed themselves of the
opportunity offered, by the presence in Tabriz of pirniya, Under Secretary
in the Prime iniste^s office, to apprise him of their demands. These in
cluded*
(a) the adequate punishment of Azerbaijan Democrat leaders,
(b) tbe re-establishment of security all over the province and the
disarming of all persons not authorised to carry arms or to
possess ammunition,
(c) tbe appointment of capable and honest officials.
( d) a sound educational oropramme which would include religious inst
ruction,
(e) commercial and agricultural credits on long term and at reason
able rates of interest,
(f) organisation of agriculture and public health,
(g) cleaning up of the ’department of Justice and a speedy settlement
of outstanding cases,
(h) general reconstruction* iis^rovement of the water supply in
Tabriz as well as of the electricity and telephone services;
repair of streets and roads,
( i) extension of the railway from ttlaneh to Tabriz, thus connecting
Tehran with Tabriz and the north and facilitating trade.
The new Governor-General, All ! ansur, arrived on Januarv Sth and on
2
January 7th he announced the Central Government’s programme for the p’enerel
improvement of conditions in Azerbaijan. This took fhl! cognisance of the
points set out above and tbe people voiced their satisfaction. They are
/ however