CABLE TO SECRETARY OF STATE FROM KHORRAMSHAHR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000600010088-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2012
• Sequence Number: 88
• Publication Date: October 22, 1959
• Content Type: CABLE

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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/28: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010088-1
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INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State -Lf
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Classification Control: 14262
Reed: October 22, 1959
12:30 pm.
FROM: Khorramshahr
TO: Secretary of State
NO: 20, October 21, 4 p.m.
SENT TEHRAN 104, REPEATED INFORMATION DEPARTMENT 20, ,,LONDON 7,
BAGHDAD 14, BASRA UNNUMBERED.
Reference: EMBTEL 106 to Khorramshahr.
Foreign Office well informed concerning past practice of flags
flown in Shatt. While no hard and fast rule existed, in general
foreign shipping bound Iranian ports flew Iraqi flag at fore
while Iraqi pilot on board and when pilot embarked and ship
passed under control Khorramshahr or Abadan Harbor Master,
Iranian flag hoisted. Departing Khorramshahr or Abadan for sea
Iranian flag lowered Iraqi raised as soon as ship underway.
Some ships flew Iranian flag at outerbar while awaiting pilot
to indicate port of destination. Occasionally ships bound Iran
flew Iranian flag all way up river but they were exceptions to
general rule. Prior issuance new directive no one seemed to
care much but Iraqi pilots have from time to time ordered
Iranian flag lowered and. Iraqi hoisted.
Shipping here all agree it is Iran which is trying to impose
new rules not Iraq. No one here believes Iran can make new
port directives stick because Iranians do not have sufficient
number qualified pilots. Further, all river movementa must
be toordinated from central point in order avoid chaos which
could result in serious accidents. One experienced shipping
agent believes Iranian control of Shatt would be "major disaster'.
Three ships blacklisted so far, two Getman, Braunfels and one
smaller ship. One Spanish SS INCLUNAVAL PUNIER() boarded FAO
by three Iraqi soldiers one dargeant when pilot found ship did
not have Iraqi Flag. Soldiers still aboard when ship arrived
Harthah point anchorage between Abadan and Khorramshahr so
Iranians refused
REPRODUCTION FROM THIS
COPY IS PROHIBITED.
CO UNLESS "UNCLASSIFIED"
Classification
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/28: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010088-1
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/28: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010088-1
20, October 21 4
CONFIDENTIAL:
' frOm-KhbriamShaht
Iranians refused register ship. Whenso diers finally returned
Iraq, Irani ns found ship did not have Iranian flag either and
vessel blacklisted. Vessel not diiCherging Cargo 50 tonS tea
Basra. No agreed course to be followed by all shipping agents.
One, which is Iranian company, will advide'Masters?cOmply fully
with new Khorramshahr port directive. Most foreign agencies
will recommend masters follow Basra port rules and if necessary
discharge cargo consigned Iran in Basra or Kuwait. ," They expect
resulting pressure from Irania.d'idporters will'ceIl Iranian
Government's bluff. Some hope Move ships in river at night in
attempt avoid flag issue' but obious 'limit eUch.,,dodge.
JAK:TR/8
Note: See Tehran s 807 to Department:AO/19 5
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/28: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010088-1