TRANSMISSION OF PROGRESS REPORT ON NSC 5402, 'UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD IRAN'

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CIA-RDP80R01731R003000020002-9
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RIPPUB
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T
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20
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December 15, 2016
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April 23, 2004
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2
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Publication Date: 
April 14, 1954
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MF
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Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SECRET OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD COPY WASHINGTON 25, D. C. MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL April lb, 15,5I4 SUBJECT; Transmission of Progress Report on NSC 5102, "United States Policy Toward Iran" There is attached the first Progress Report on NSC 5102, "United States Policy Toward Iran" covering the period through March 29, 1954. This report was approved by the Operations Coordinating Board on April. 1b, 1954. The OCB recommends that the date of April 1, 19511 in paragraph 15c of NSC 51102 be changed to June 1, 19511, Because of the status of the current negotiations for the settlement of the Iranian oil problem, the date of April 1, 1954 did not appear to be a feasible time to begin a review of this problem for consideration by the National Security Council. The OCB feels that the date of June 1, 19511, while necessarily an arbi. trary one,, does allow sufficient time for the conversations in Iran to get under way and for some indication for their probable outcome to become apparent. Similarly, it allows time for expert studies, which are being undertaken, of alternative ways and meant to get substantial revenue from Iranian oil should current negotiations fail. Such studies could be completed or sufficiently developed by June 1 to provide the basis upon which to undertake a review of United States policy at that timed The National Security Council will note that this report covers onlj the period through March 29. Since that date, an apparent impasse in negotiations in London with the AIOC has been broken; Mr,, Herbert Hoover.:'r, has gone to Tehran; and the consortium team has also arrived there. Thi3 successful outcome of the negotiations with the British was made possibl. by an agreement between the U,S. and the U.K. Governments for separate, but concurrent, negotiations between the British and Iranian Governments on the problem of compensation to AIOC, NSC REVIEW COMPLETED, 10/31/03 Elmer B, Staats Executive Officer Progress Report on NSC 5102 (Iran), dated March 29, 1954. Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 1t 4 a .3 . TOP_ SECRET SIGNA'11JRE RECORD AND COVER SHEET NUMBER OF ?AGES I NUMBER OF ATTACH EN _ .fearsTM CIA CONTRO1. N( ) ATTENTION: This form will be attached to each Top Secret document received by the Central Intelligence Agency c classi C -top Secret within the CIA and will remain attached to the document until such time as it is downgraded, destroyed, or t ansmi I outside of CIA. , Access to Top Secret material is limited to those individuals whose official duties relate to the material. Each alto ate or assist- ant Top Secret Control Officer who receives and/or releases the attached Top Secret material will sign the form IFnd inc to period of custody in the left-hand columns provided. The name of each individual who has seen the Top Secret document and tt late of han- dling should be indicated in the right-hand columns. TSCO 131og NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: When this form is detached from Top Secret material it shall be completed in the approp fate al below and It transmitted to Central Top Secret Control for record. ^OWNGRADED ^ ROYED_.. DISPATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA) TO s i - MNM1 35-13 Approved For Release 2004/07/0fi ;CIA-RDP80R01731R003000020002-9 OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD COPY WASHINGTON 25., Do Ce April 12, 19,4 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD SUBJECT: Transmission of Draft Progress Report on NSC SiO2, "United States Policy Toward Iran" There is attached the first Progress Report on NSC 51:02 (Iran) prepared by the OCB fdorking Group and reviewed by the Board Assistants, This report covers the period through March 290 1954. Attention is invited to the one suggested change in the basic NSC paper which the OCB is asked to recommend to the National Security Course:.. Paragraph 15c of NSC 5402 reads as follows: "15o c, If such a settlement has not been reached by April 1, 19513 review U.S. policy toward the problem in the light of circumstances then existing, including giving consideration to taking independent action with Iran, in order to bring about a resumption of revenues from its oil resources as a stabilizing influence in the Goverment of Iran tending to obviate the need for U.S. emergency eeonomin assistance." It is proposed to change the date of April 1 to June 1, 1954. Heoa'Ase of the status of the current negotiations for the settlement of the Iranin oil problem, the date of April 1, 1954, did not appear to be a feasible time to begin a review of thisproblem for consideration by the National Security Council. The Working Group feels that the date of June 1, 1954, while necessarily an arbitrary one, does allow sufficient time for the conversations in Iran to get under way and for some indication of their probable outcome to become apparent. Similarly, it allows time for expaa studies, which are being recommex,ded, of alternative ways and means to get substantial revenue from Iranian oil should current negotiations fail, Such studies could be completed or sufficiently developed by June 1 to provide the basis upon which to undertake a review of United States policy at that time. The Board will note that this Report covers only the period through March 29, Since that date, an apparent impasse in negotiations in London with the AIOC has been broken; Mre Herbert Hoover, Jr., has gone to Tehra ; and the consortium team has also arrived there. This successful outcome of the negotiations with the British was made possible by an agreemt?nt between the U.S. and the U.K* Governments for separate, but concurrent, negotiations between the British and Iranian Governments on the problem of compensation to AIOC. _l.. TOP SECRET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 ? "Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 It is recommended that the Board approve the Progress Report and forward it to the National Security Council under cover of the attached draft transmittal notes or Be Staats Executive Officer Attachments: 1. Draft Memorandum to Exec. Secretary, NSC, from Exec. Officer, OCB0 2,j, Progress Report on NSC 5402 (Iran), dated March 29, 19511 OCB File Na. 36 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 OP SECRET SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET DOC. DATE COPY NO. Ni 3ISTRY CIA?CONTROL NO. s () DATE DOCUMENT ECEIVE LOGGED BY # ATTENTION: This form will be attached to each Top Secret document received by the Central Intelligence Agency or ^laseill ...ap Secret within the CIA and will remain attached to the document until such time as it is downgraded, destroyed, or tr, osmits outside of CIA. Access to Top Secret material is limited to those individuals whose official duties relate to the material. Ea, h alte- r te or assist. ant Top Secret Control Officer who receives and/or releases the attached Top Secret material will sign this form aid indi _ e period of custody in the left-hand columns provided. The name of each individual who has seen the Top Secret document -nd th .it of han- dling should be indicated in the right-hand columns. RELEASED zEN BY DATE TIME NAME AND OFFICE SYMBOL NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: When this form is detached from Top Secret material it shall be completed in the approp, iate *I ; es below and transmitted to Central Top Secret Control for record. THE TOP SECRET MATERIAL DETACHED FROM THIS FORM WAS: I_ ROYED ^ DISPATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA) TO IANM195522 38-13 DF Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 CONFIDENTIAL OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD WASHINGTON 25, D. C. January 29, 1954 MEMORANDUM TO THE OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD SUBJECT: Terms of Reference for Working Group on Coordination of NSC 5402 (Iran) The Operations Coordinating Board,, by vote-slip action completed January 18, 1954, approved the attached terms of reference for the Working Group on Coordination of NEC 5402,. 2 .Elmer B. Staats Executive Officer Attachment: Approved Insert in Standard Terms of Reference for Working Group on Coordination of NSC 5402 Iran), dated 1/29/54 OCB File No. 36. OJF DENT .AL Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 CONFIDENTIAL OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD WASHINGTON 25., D. CV January 2$e, 1954 Reference NSC 5402 NSC Action No. 998 Terms of Reference for ?Jorking Gros, on Coordination of NSC 5402 (Iran) 1, The President has directed the implementation of NSC 5402 by all appropriate executive departments and agencies, and has desig- nated the OCB as the coordinating agency. 2. To assist the Board in this taskp representatives of the fol- lowing agencies, and a representative from the OCB staff, will constittr 2 a working group, chaired by the Department of State: a. Department of State be Department of Defense c. Foreign Operations Administration d, Central Intelligence Agency e. U. S. Information Agency f. Treasury Department and Department of Justice have been requested to designate representatives upon whom the Working Group can call if and when nec- essary and appropriate. 3. The working group will follow standing OCB instructions (Annex "Alt) 4. The first report under paragraph 4 of Annex "A" is due on Jr about April 1, 1954? Subsequent reports are due at intervals of aporox- imaterly six months thereafter. 5. In view of the fact that PSB D-22 contains material of interest and importance to attainment of U.S. objectives in Iran, the working group is to take pertinent portions of D-22 into account in its operation s and reports. OCB FILE NO. 36 CONFIDENTIAL Approved For Release 2004/07703 . - uP80R01731 R003000020002-9 STRICT ; EGRET "CLASSIFIED ApffGvedr- OF ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET INSTRUCTIONS: Officer designations should be used in the "TO" column. Under each comment a line should be drawn acr .neat and each comment numbered to correspond with the number in the "TO" column. Each officer should initial (check mark ins cient) before further routing. This Routing and Record Sheet should be returned to Registry. FROM: ROOM NO. FORM NO. 51-10 APR 1953 OFFICER'S INITIALS SECRET CONFIDENTIAL FEB 1 1954 f.ovERNME6 K- K.% OFFICE RESTRICTED UN`- SSIFIED DRAFT Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SECRET OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD COPY WASHINGTON 25, D. C. Larch 29, 19!,14 PROGRESS REPORT ON DISC 51402, "UNITED STATES POLICY TO1'/ARD IRAN" A. SU1VARY la Fbllowing the President's directive assigning the coordination of NSC 5402 to the Operations Coordinating Board, there was established a working group. This group has been charged with direct responsibility at the working level for coordination of these policies and has been active since its establishment in January 1954. Negotiations with the British have been carried forward directly under the guidance of Mr Herbert Hoover., Jr., both in London and Washington, While the course of negotiations has mot always been smooths progress has been made and there is still hope of some successt Negotiations with Iran have not yet begun but there are some pro.- pects for ultimate success in Tehran, Meanwhile, emergency economic aid has necessarily continued with an additional grant of $6 million. A rr litvi7r aid program of an additional $19 million has been approved, Planning for the contingencies envisaged in paragraphs 25, 26 and 27 of NSC 5102 is beitg: carried on by interested departments and agencies. fir 2. The policies and courses of action set forth in NSC 51102 are con- sidered to be adequate, timely and to require no important changes. It is recommended, however, that, in view of the status of the current negot .atic;r:3 with the British and presumably in a short time with the Iranian Government, the date of April l as set forth in paragraph 15c for the review of the United States policy be changed to June 1, 3. The Departments of Treasury and Justice have appointed full-time members to the OCB TJorking Group on NSC 5402 (Iran) and have broad interest,. in this problem, They are not participants in the contingency planning called for in paragraphs 25, 26 and 27. B. PROGRESS BY PARAGRAPHS Paragraph 15 - Facilitate Iranian Oil Settlement a. Assist Iran again to obtain substantial revenues from its oil b. Assist in every practicable way to effect an early and equitaole settlement of the oil controversy between the UK and Iran. 0CB File No. 36 - 1 F-. Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 c: If such a settlement has not been reached by April li 1954, review U,S,& policy toward the problem in the light of circumstances #then existing., including giving consideration to taking independent action with Irani in order to bring about a resumption of revenues from its oil resources as a stabilizing influence in the Government of Iran tending to obviate the need for U.S. emergency economic assistance, In implementing actions under b or c abovep seek to avoid establishing any precedent which would adversely affect U.S. interests in Middle Fast resources; There have been certain significant developments in the direction of settlement of the Anglo-Iranian oil dispute since approval of N3C 5402. Considerable progress has been made toward the establishment of a consortium of oil companies (140% AIOC; 40% Am Arian companies; Royal Dutch Shell and Compagnie Francaise des Petroles sharing the remainder on a basis not yet determined) which, when organized,, will open negotiations with the Iranian Government to return Iranian oil to world markets and thus provide Iran with substantial revenues from its oil resources, UK. Normal diplomatic relations have been restored between Iran and the The Parliament which existed at the time of the Mos3adeq Government has been dissolved and a new Parliament has been elected under close super- vision by the Zahedi Government. An eminent American oil experts Mr. Torkild Rieber, has been hired by the Iranian Government as a special adviser for oil matters, Although there are still great political and psychological factors in Iran which could disrupt any oil agreement which would appear reasonable to international oil companies, there now exists in Iran the most favorable atmosphere for such a settlement since nationalization of the oil industry at for the foreseeable futures There is some evidence that Iranian leaders have acquired greater uncer- standing of the domplexities and realities of the international oil bu.sines.. during the past months of "education" by Mr. Herbert Hoover, Jr,, U4% Ambassador Henderson and an extensive propaganda campaign conducted by USIA4 As to the question of considering unilateral action with Iran if there is no oil settlement by April 1, 1954, it would seem that such action, ever. if practicable, would be out of order while the current negotiations --re in progress and should only be considered when It appears that the ne- tiations have failed, TOP SECR,2 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SECRET Paragraph 16 - Continue Emergency Economic Aid Pending Reestablishment of Substantial Revenues Since the approval of NSC 5402,.Iran has been granted $6 million additional emergency economic aid. This brings to a total of 451 million the emergency aid granted the Zahedi Government by the U.S. As to the desirability of providing economic aid in the form of loans, it was not possible, in view of the urgency of Iran's need in March to await election of a Majlis to consider accepting a foreign loan. It-is the law of Iran that foreign loans must receive Majlis approval. The Majlis which had been convened under Mossadeq had been disbanded and the new Majlis had not been convened when the need for additional aid war most pressing. In addition, it is probable that it would be political- ly unwise to propose consideration of a foreign loan as the first business of the new Majli.s. The ~:a45 million emergency aid allocation has been an important t'actcr in countering the sharp inflationary trend of the past year. In song cases, such as sugar, price reductions resulted from the actual receipt of imports by Iran. In other instances the psychological effect of knowing that additional funds were available for increased imports resulted in price reductions. In addition, of course, local currency generated from the use of the ;)45 million has enabled the Government to meet its current operating expenses including salaries of Government employees and part of the funds needed for armed services pay. While a relatively smaller part of the local currency generated has been used for the purpose, the FDA Mission and the Iranian Government have been in a position to finance a number of "impact" projects, that is, projects such as low cost housing construction and road and street repairing, which is evidence to the Irari;n people, though scanty, it is admitted, that the Zahedi Government intendh to live up to its promises to alleviate unemployment and iatpravu- liling conditions. The 445 million aid allocation, as originally tendered, was not rel#_t3d to any specific period, It was later scheduled to carry through March 21, 1954 (the end of the Iranian year). Latest indications are that the oris,,`.aal allocations plus an additional 46 million made available to Iran this moi.ti, will be sufficient to meet Iran's urgent requirements through the en-.1 of h:s present U.S. fiscal year. This estimate, however; is based on the asmrq,)-? tion that Iran will revalue x$13 million recently placed in the note rese-1r. Fortunately, the Bank Melli' s holdings of local currency have improved sufficiently to enable the Government to sell foreign exchange to the Banc Melli for local currency. This procedure was adapted in the case of the recently allocated $6 million. The dollars are available to finance impo;-ts through regular commercial channels to meet the demand for exchanges Thhui far, for various reasons including the fact that importers expect a furtm~,r drop in the exchange rates the demand for exchange has not reached expect_ Lions. As a result there has been a substantial increase over the serio 319 depleted reserve position of the Bank last Augusta Approved For Release 2004/07/O83 CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000&NOd tr, Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R0l731 R003000020002-9 TOP SECRET To meet the Iranian budgetary deficit between the end of the U.S. fiscal year and such a time as the next fiscal year appropriation becomes available the IvUssion in Tehran has recommended providing a grant of from 37.5 to $9 million. No FOA/Washington position has been determined as yet on this question. As indicated above, presently allocated aid will, in certain circum- stances, suffice for the period ending June 30. In any event short of a resumption of oil revenues, it is quite likely that additional aid will have to be made available in May or June in order that the Zahedi Govern- ment will be in a position to meet its budgetary requirements in the periu i immediately following June 30. For planning purposes, it is probably necessary to assume a requirement for emergency economic aid of approximattty 5 million per monthb Furthermore, it must be recognized that this e:nergta:ay economic aid accomplishes its purpose only as it can be translated into the acquisition of local currency by the Iranian Government. Hence the proce- dures under which the aid is made available are extremely important and unless the special procedures employed in connection with the recent Pb million grant are applied to future aid, dollar aid will have to be made available several months in advance of the date when the Government of Iran is expected to require the rials. C araraph 17 ~ Continue Limited Technical and Economic Aid The technical assistance program, embodying an economic aid componen`,. has progressed at a more rapid pace thanks to the early receipt of funds this fiscal year, the delegation of greater operational authority to the field,, the assignment of needed personnel and the Mission's policy to giv 3 as much support to the Zahedi Government is consistent with the U.S. desire to see Iran compelled to enter into definitive negotiations for an oil settlement.. Another segment of the technical assistance program, the Community Development field, was turned over under contract to a private organizati-), the Near East Foundation. This move will broaden the resources in technic:. competence now available to the FOA Mission in operating the program in Iran. USIA continues its efforts to, call this aid to the attention of Irer-l.ane. Paragraph 18 - In Implementing Above Courses of Actions Consult Witt-- U.K. Without Impairing UxSo-U~K. Relations, Without Permitting U.t,Ve - of U.So Actions and Seek-i.nLU.Ko Agreement to Solution Oil ?robleas While Supporting; Zahedi Government Full consultation has been maintained with the UK on all significant U.S.. move toward settlement cf the oitl dispute and provision of economic and technical aid to Iran* Although here are certain outstanding gttestic>s in regard to Iran still under discussion between the U,,S,and U.K, Govern- ments, U.S,-U.K, relations have not been unduly impaired. Although there are still great obstacles to overcome efforts to find a practical and equitable solution of the oil problem at the earliest possible moment have been marked by success on the following major points: a, AIOC invitation to five American oil companies, Royal Dutch Shell and Compagnie Francaise des Petroles to form a consortium to handle Iranian oil. Approved For Release 2004/07/a8l C1A-RDP80R01731 R003000IM03WSET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SECRET b. AIOC acceptance of not more than a 10% share in the consortium* C. British acceptance of the principle that the total British share (including British interest in the Shell Compary's share) may not be a controlling percentage of the consortiums, d. British acceptance of the American proposal that the total value of the new consortium be set at one billion dollars. British acceptance of the method of payment to AIOC proposed by the American companies and Shell, Agreement that the British Government will negotiate with the Iranian Government regarding AIOC claims for compensation from Iran. On several occasions since approval of NSC 5302, the U.S. Government has received assurances of full UK support to the Zahedi Government. Thera is a clique of Iranian politicians, who have local reputations of being British agents) who have not concealed their antagonism to Zahedi and their desire to replace him with one of 'their number. In the considered judgment of U0S. Government observers, it is likely that those Iranian politicians are merely acting on their own initiative in pursuance of their personal ambitions. On January 23, 1951, the Attorney General expressed the opinion that participation of American oil companies in the specified proposed consortial:,: to contract with the Government of Iran within the area of the former AIOC concession for production, refining and acquisition of petroleum and petro- leum products, would not in itself constitute a violation of the anti-trust laws. This made it unnecessary for the President to use his authority to approve voluntary agreements and programs under Section 708(a) and (b) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, Paragraph 19 - a) Provide Grant Military Aid to Iran to Maintain Internal Security and Provide Some Resistance to External revs=;,r and b) to enhance the Prestige of the Monarchand the Moral of the Iranian Government and -Militar Since the approval of N.SC 5102, $19 million additional military aid has been granted Irani Five million dollars of that sum was expended, at the urgent request of the Embassy and U.S. Military Missions in Iran, for clothing, medical supplies, tents, bedding,, housing for Army and Get :rrmeri.-s personnel and items such as vegetable oils, drugs., stationery, cleaning materials, and range repair. The FOA Mission in Iran cooperated with the military in seeking to obtain the maximum benefit from these expenditixres. While the effect of such aid is difficult to measure,, nevertheless, it can be assumed that there was some subsequent improvement in morale among the armed forces, The remaining x,11 million will be programmed following receipt of recommendations requested from Chief of MAAG1 Iran. The U.S. Military Missions in Iran have reported some increased recep- tiveness on the part of the Iranians to advice for improvement of operatics and reorganization of the military establishments There is continued prese=ire Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 .. 5 - TOP S W RET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SkCRET by American military advisers upon the Iranians to use U.S. aid and advice to achieve further improvement of their ability to maintain internal iecur,.-; and provide some resistance to external aggression. The provision of additional military aid to Iran is intended to assist in enhancing the prestige of the monarchy and morale of the govern- ment and armed forces. As the Shah is Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian armed forces) improvement in the organization, equipment) leadership and morale of the armed forces is bound to reflect some credit on the shah. The provision of certain t{tV.::tun equipment such as tanks and medium artil7.pry is viewed by the Shah as adding to his prestige. Also) it can be expected that the Shah and his armed forces will react favorably to demonstrations of U.S. policy to help Iran to defend itself against external aggression. The Department of the Army has prepared and forwarded to the Chief of the ARMISH, Iran, an amendment to his terms of reference taking into account the mission of assisting the Iranian armed forces to provide some resistance to external aggression. Paragraph 20 - The Amount and Rate of Military Aid to Iran Should Take Into-" Account Itan's Attitude Toward the Aid and Cooperation with the Free World and Iran's Ability to Absorb the Aid an is Wi.liingness to Formalize Contracts for Milita A and Training There has been little improvement in Iran's demonstrated ability satis- factorily to absorb military equipment and training, A total of $52.7 million in military equipment had been shipped to Iran as of 31 December 1953. As of that same date, ;w91,8 mi .lion in equipment had been progr immec ._ The Iranian Cabinet decided on March 17 to extend "formally" the con- tract with the U.S. Advisory Mission to the Iranian Army. In case the Shah and Prime Minister approve this decision) Ambassador Henderson is authorized immediately to agree to an extension of the contract on previouz y existing terms, Paragraph 21 -. Encourage Iran to Cooperate Militarily with its Neighbcrs Ambassador Henderson has been instructed to inform the Shah that the U.S. and UK are in agreement that Iran's armed forces should have capabili- ties beyond those of maintaining internal security. Such forces should be developed gradually and with due care not to overburden Iran's economy. As to Iran's joining in regional defense arrangements) the Shah has made clear in conversations with Vice President Nixon) Ambassador Henderson and U.S, military advisers that it is premature for Iran to enter such arrangements. However, he has expressed a hope that, as Iran's armed foro*v develop a capability to make a significant contribution to regional defense. it will be possible to move in the direction of military cooperation with Iran's neighbors? The U.S.) UK and Turkish Governments agree that this is Approved For Release 2004/07/&8 `CIA-RDP80R01731 R0030000Z0t62- 'Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SECRET Nov not an appropriate time to press for?immediate and, of necessity, public Iranian participation in regional defense arrangements. However, it is being pointed out to the Shah that U.S. Congressional approval of further military aid to Iran will undoubtedly be influenced by regional defense as well as by individual country defense considerations, Through the provision of grant military aid and training, the U.$. Government is assisting Iran in developing military capability which would enable it to enter into military cooperation with its neighbors and to enter into any regional defense arrangements which may be developed for the Middle East. Paragraph 22 .6 Attempt to Direct Iranian Nationalist Feeling to Construc- tive Channels and Bear in Mind Desirabilit Hof Stren then thIranians to Resist Communist Pressure Ambassador Henderson and his Embassy staffs constantly in contact with high levels of the Iranian Government, bear in mind the desirability Of strengthening in Iran the ability and desire of the Iranian people to resist communist pressure, The effect of their influence cannot be measures but it is noteworthy that the Shah, Prime Minister Zahedi and most leafing members of the Government are fundamentally anti-communist. The Shah and Zahedi both realize the need to demonstrate to the Iranian public the benefits of a pro-western attitude and the importance of direction.: nationalist feelings into constructive channels. Major obstacles to a successful program in this direction are: a. Failure so far to improve the extremely low levels of living of the great bulk of the population, b, The historical concentration of the control of political and economic activities in a comparatively small number of leading families who have consistentlyp although disunitedly, resisted the efforts of politically ambitious urban middle class elements to broaden participation in the control of these activitiess c. The political inexperience and lack of discipline of the Majlisi the members of which for the most part represent the ruling aristocracy, and tend to support individuals rather than progr,ims or principlese d. The Shah's deep suspicions of any strong Prime Minister and his resistance to Majlis attempts to control the Executive Branch of the Government. The FQA Program has contributed to implementation of this aspect of tl policies of NSC 54O2 by giving constructive employment to young educated Iranians who might otherwise have been frustrated) unemployed and prey for agitators, USIA has expanded its program to include the assignment of officer to the three consulates in Iran and step up its program in the field of press relat1one, Approvee I-oo eo easee44O1/ b GsIPA 0l* 4t31 AO%O t2~ - 7 00 TOP SECRET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP SXRST difficult to measure the full effect of this program, but it is clear that, through U:3IA efforts, a significant amount of material which is considt3red useful to U.S. purposes in Iran is distributed and read or listened to by the local people. Paragraph 23 - Encourage Iran to Adopt Necessa Financial Judicial, Succession to the Crown The U.S. Embassy at Tehran has been requested to report upon Iranian Government planning to carry out or propose for new legislation any firnan- cial, judicial, administrative and other reformat Since the Zahedi Govern- ment.has been primarily concerned with the establishment and maintenance of security throughout Iran and with preparations for negotiating a settle- ment of the Anglo-Iranian Oil dispute, it has been unable to give much atten- tion to reforms, The&nbassy has been instructed to encourage, whenever possible, the preparation of an Iranian Government reform program to present to the Majlis when it convenes. There are available from the reports of previous advisory missions to Iran and from tax, land reform and similar experts now in the employ of FOA, plans and programs which could be used by the Iranian Government as a basis for preparation of necessary legislatior,. With reference to the question of succession to the Crown, no one has been designated and no definitive method of selection determined. Probably the main reason that the Shah has not designated a successor is his suibpicio of any such successor. Ambassador Henderson has been instructed to press upon the Shah, whenever an appropriate occasion appears, the desirability of designating a successor. To date, however, there is no indication that the Shah will do so. The conduct of the U.S. program, both the technical assistance the the economic aid phases of it, have brought about somewhat naturally a number of reforms or innovations in the Iranian Government structure. #here are now in existence, for example, a public health cooperative, a statistics cooperative, and agricultural service, which, there is every reason to believe, will become integral parts of the Iranian Government. Iranian officials are becoming more willing, moreover, to follow the mission sug- gestions for improvements in Iranian Government administration to a point where they have requested U.S. specialists in taxes, budget, government procurement, organizational methods, auditing, accounting and accounting and government personnel matters and commercial accounting, In cooperation with the various ministries, the Mission has developed a plan for a master joint fund and joint administrative machinery to conduct, the complete responsibility for the program by the Iranian Government. While the Mission's recommendations for financial reforms have not yet been fully adopted, the Mission's close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the Bank Melli in the administration of the economic aid progran have strengthened the hand of the financial authorities so that the necassary changes are almost certain to be made as soon as a Majlis is formed, Administrative and Other Reforms and to Provide rderl Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 - 8 - TOP SECRKV Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003000020002-9 TOP ShCRET Paragraph 25 - United States Should Pre are Plans to Meet the Con- tingency of an Attempted or Actual Communist Seizure of Power One or More of the Provinces in Tehran There is in existence a filar which was in accordance trith directions from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This plan takes into account possible military action in Iran in support of a non-Communist Government in the event either an attempted or an actual Communist seizure of power in cue or more of the provinces of Iran or Tehran. While plans for U.N. action in the contingency foreseen in paragraph 25 are being studied in the State Department, it has been considered undeEir- able at this time to discuss such plans with other friendly Delegations at the U.N. or with the Secretary General of the U.N. As a situation develops in which it is considered desirable to consult with other nations on plans for possible U.N. action, we would probably first raise the matter on a confidential basis with the UK Government. Since both Turkey and Pakistan would undoubtedly be concerned at signs of increasing Communist influence in Iran, it might also be desirable, as the situation deteriorates' to consult with Turkey and Pakistan in regard to concerted plans for U.N. action in the contingency foreseen in paragraph 25. As affairs grow progressively serious in Iran, and there is evidence of increasing Communist subversion, it might be desirable to advise the Iranian Government to prepare and submit a short "Status Report" to the Security Council,, for the information of all U.N. Members, under the heading of the "Iranian Question" which has remained since 1946 on the list of matters with which the Security Council is seized. Such a report, r op Secret within the CIA and will remain attached to the document until such time as it is downgraded, destroyed, or tr::nsmit o. tside of CIA. Access to Top Secret material is limited to those individuals whose official duties relate to the material. Ea =h alte t or assist. ant Top Secret Control Officer who receives and/or releases the attached Top Secret material will sign this form sp:.d ind- r per=.od of custody in the left-hand columns provided. The name of each individual who has seen the Top Secret document and th a .t a of han- dling should be indicated in the right-hand columns. `e$a APB 1954 NAME AND OFFICE SYMBOL [ AT NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: When this form is detached from Top Secret material it shall be completed in th_ approp fate al 1 Below and transmitted to Central Top Secret Control for record. PATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA) TO IANM NO. 38-13