Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Prime Minister of Iran Mohammad Mossadeq, George McGhee, Paul Nitze, and Lieutenant Colonel Walters

459 OLURET Memorandum of Conversation crif 312 Place: Walter Reed Hospital Date: October 24, 1951 the Present: Secretery of State Acheson ARCHIVES 'NATIONAL SERVICE RECORD# AND Assistant Secretary of State McGhoe Mr. Paul Nitze Lt. Colonel Walters Prime Minister Mossadeah After the usuel exchenge of amenities, Secretary Acheson said that unfortunately he had to leave the following morning to catch the Steener America in New York, and would then be on his way to Paris. In the meantine, however, he would be completely at Dr. Mossadegh's disposal. He was anxious to clarify certain points of his understending of Dr. Mossadegh*s position. The Secretary said that what we were trying to do wss to find out exactly what Dr. Mossadegh's thinking Was, and then perhaps to formulete an American proposal which we could submit as something which could be worked out. We would not indicate to the British that Dr. Mossadegh's agreement had been obteined to this. If this were done and we felt that a reasonable basis for settlement existed, he night then be able in Paria to talk to the British, while Mr. McGhee end Mr. Nitze would be available to the Prime Minister here in the United States. Dr. Mossedegh expressed his gratitude for this disposition on the part of the Secretary. Secretary Acheson said that from what hed been reported to him, he thought he understood Dr. Mosaadegh's position fairly well, but there were a few points that needed further exploration. We could not, 08 e government, take the respons bility for making E. proposal unlesa we were seriously convinced that there were ressonable chancea of E settlement. Secretery Acheson asid that Dr. Mossadegh's position had been set forth for him in a memorandum which had been submitted to him. He and he woulé like to review this menorancum and see if he understood Dr. Mossadegh's position on various matters. Regarding the composition of the National Iranien 011 Compeny, he understood that Dr. Mossadegh WELS willing to have a board of directors composed of three Iraniens and four foreigners of neutral nationality. Dr. Mossadegh said that he Was willing to do this, and that this could be inserted in the statutes of the National Iranion Oil Company. DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Es NLT- HC NAR3 Date 6.30.16