Ext 5000/47/1 'Persian situation: miscellaneous reports' [‎274r] (551/704)

Prime Minister thereupon telegraphed to
the Governor-Gene ml that, if a clash
ensued, local authorities would be held
responsible and larger forces would follow
to reassert the Government’s authority.
At the same time, after consulting the
j'^enoan Ambassador and His Majesty's
Ambassador, he instructed the Persian
representative at United Nations Organ
isation to inform the Security Council of
the warnings received from the Russian
authorities and of the intentions of the
Persian Government. The army entered
the province on 10th December. The
Azerbaijanis offered some resistance near
Mianeh but were soon dislodged from their
positions and effectively bombed in retreat
by the Persian air force. On 11th
December resistance ceased and the forces
of the Central Government advanced
unopposed to Tabriz. Pishavari, the Secre
tary of the Azerbaijan Democrat Party
and several of his associates, fled over the
Russian border and the former Governor-
General, Dr. Javid, together with the
President of the Provincial Council, were
brought to Tehran under escort. Mopping-
up operations followed in various parts of
the province and a week later the whole of
Azerbaijan was brought under control of
the Central Government.
8. When the Government of Azerbaijan
collapsed. Qazi Muhammad, the leader of
the Kurdish Nationalist organisation at
Mahabad. surrendered and Mulla Mustafa
Barzani and the Kurdish chiefs associated
with him made overtures for submission.
9. It is now evidently the Government’s
intention to regard all undertakings
entered into with the Azerbaijan Demo
crats during the past year as having been
rendered null and void by the armed resis
tance offered to the despatch of security
forces for the elections and in future to
administer the province in the same wa\
as the other provinces of the country.
10. The relations of His Majesty’s
Government with the Persian Go\ernment
during this period have progressively
improved. The statement of the 8>ectetai)
of State in the House of Commons that
instructions had been given to British
officers in Persia not to interfere in
internal affairs and that no subversive
element could expect material or moral
support from His Majesty’s Government
gave satisfaction to the Persian Govern
ment and brought to an end the difficult
situation which had been created by the
fantastic charges levelled against Mr.
Trott Later on the Prime Minister asked
for the advice of His Majesty’s Govern
ment and was grateful for the message sent
to him by the Secretary of State imme
diately after the entry of Persian troops
into Azerbaijan to the effect that in the
event of this action leading to international
difficulties. His Majesty's Government
would support the Persian Government at
the Security Council.
11. Good relations between America and
Persia have also advanced. Attacks on
“dollar imperialism” ceased with the
suspension of Tudeh newspapers and the
State Department’s promise to help Persia
in the Security Council if the Soviet
Government supported resistance in Azer
baijan strengthened American influence
with the present Government. At the end
of the year a highly qualified American
mission arrived in Tehran to advise the
Government on economic and social
development.
12. Russian influence and prestige have
suffered a severe setback as a result of the
failure of their policy in Azerbaijan.
13. The affairs of the Anglo-Iranian Oil
Company have been calmer during this
quarter. No political disturbances
occurred in the oilfields or at the refinery,
but there were a number of robberies with
violence in Abadan, due to inadequate
police control. The Tudeh Party has gone
underground for the time being and most
of their leaders have been arrested.
14. A labour attache joined the staff of
this embassy in November and the Persian
authorities have readily consulted him on
labour questions. A labour adviser, and
several industrial relations officers, have
been appointed by the A.l.O.C. in Abadan.
Early in December the A.l.O.C. concluded
an agreement with the Persian Govern
ment to facilitate the conversion of the
company’s sterling payments for royalties
and for current expenses in Persia. It
was agreed that until duly 1947 the Bank
of England will sell gold to the National
Bank °in respect of 60 per cent, of the
sterling balances acquired by Persia during
the currency of the agreement. The
Treasury representative was also instru
mental in settling a tiresome dispute
between the Imperial Bank of Iran and the
National Bank by arranging for the
deposit of 15 per cent, of the Imperial
Bank of Iran’s assets with the National
Bank and the taking up of Persian Govern
ment securities to cover a further 15 pei
cent.
15. An important contract has been
awarded to Sir Alexander Gibb and
Partners for the water supply of Tehran