IRAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001100060022-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 5, 1999
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: June 16, 1959
• Content Type: BRIEF

NSC BRIEFING 16 June 1959
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of foreign affairs, interior and commerce,
Foreign Minister Hekmat had promoted the non-aggression treaty
negotiations with USSR last January.
IRAN
The Shah apparently plans to adopt a tougher line toward the
Soviet Union and possibly to embark more energetically on domestic
reform.
A. On his return from Europe on 4 June, he removed his ministers
25X1X6 C. has told us privately that Hekmat was not strong enough
to counter Soviet diplomatic methods,
II, New Foreign Minister Jalal Abdoh, who was Iran's Permanent Represents
tive to the UN since 1955, is a stronger personality, experienced
in international affairs, and strongly anti-Soviet,
A, However, we have impression that newly appointed Minister of
Interior Atabaki, and Commerce Minister Etebar are not really
qualified for their positions, but presumably will obey Shah's
orders.,
B. The Shah will now again try to push his reform program? There
has, for example, been a growing popular disillusionment in Iran,
over failure to implement the conflict of interest law among
civil servants, His own relatives and court have violated it.
III, The Shah fears Soviet propaganda may capitalize on domestic unrest,
and he is showing more concern over intensive Soviet propaganda
campaign against Iran since February when non-aggression treaty
talks were broken off,
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 Approved For Release 2001/08/14 CIA-RDP79R0089OA001100060022-5
IV. We are still concerned over Shahts continuing direct "ruling"
even though he now aims to produce a more forthright position
toward Soviet Union.
A, We are even more concerned over lack of improvement in Iran's
economic and domestic affairs.
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