Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLT/Naoal Aide / 247 the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON September 20, 1951 TOP SECRET SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS IRAN In a conversation with the British Ambassador in Tehran on Monday the Shah indicated that Mosadeq was desirous of resuming oil negotiations and asked what steps the Bri- tish would consider necessary. The British Ambassador replied that the next step would have to come from the Iranians and the British would re- quire written assurances that the Iranian Government was now ready to negotiate seriously in a spirit of good will and on the basis of hard com- mercial considerations; the British would not renew discussions on the basis of a "vague formula" or an emotional approach. The Shah indicated that he doubted Mosadeq would be willing to give written assurances. On Tuesday evening, however, the British Counsellor was called to the court by the Deputy Minister of Court and was told that Mosadeq had seen the Shah during the day and had agreed to prepare writ- ten proposals for submission to the British within a few days. The British Counsellor suggested that if new negotiations were agreed upon it might be better to hold them away from Tehran. He suggested informally that Iranian plenipotentiaries be sent to London. He also emphasized repeatedly the necessity for Iranian compliance with the following conditions: 1) a written proposal from Iran for resuming negotiations; 2) proposals to be specific, based on sound commercial considerations, and manifesting a spirit of good will; 3) the Iranian negotiators to have full powers; and 4) evidence of Iran's desire to reach an agreement at the earliest possible date. CZECHOSLOVAKIA We have informed Embassy Prague that the Brother- - hood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen is con- sidering bringing to this country for permanent residence the Czech en- gineer of the train which recently fled Czechoslovakia into the US Zone of Germany. Embassy Prague in reply was warmly endorsed the project and believes that it would have unique publicity value if it is done promptly. T 'OP S E C R E T