TRANSFER TO PERSIA

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26465, 5 July 1951, Page 7

TRANSFER TO PERSIA

Field Operations In Oilfields (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 4. The British management of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company has decided to transfer all oil field operations to Persians, and to withdraw all British personnel from the fields to Abadan for possible evacuation to Britain, the “New York Times” said to-day. The newspaper’s correspondent in Teheran said that the British management will formally request the Iranian National Oil Company within a few days to take over field operations. About 1000 British technicians and members of the administrative staff will be withdrawn from the mountain stations where oil is pumped to the refinery. Correspondents said that the move will make the Persians face the first major test of their ability to operate the country’s huge and complex oil industry.

A London message said that the evacuation of the last 1400 Britons in Persia began on July 3. It would take six weeks, giving the Persians time to change their minds. About 35 oil workers leave for Britain every day from the Abadan and Basra airports. An Anglo-Iranian Oil Company official said: “We don't want to provoke any ill-feeling. Our plans are entirely flexible and we can alter or reverse them instantly.” Earlier it was reported that production at the Abadan refinery would be cut to one-fifth within the next few days. This would be the last reduction before putting the refinery completely out of action. K Last Tanker At Abadan The British Sailor, the last British tanker at Abadan, has left after pumping her oil cargo back ashore, a spokesman of the Anglo-Iranian Company said to-day. British quarters in Teheran feel more strongly than ever that the Anglo-Iranian company will be forced to evacuate Abadan completely. There is not the slightest sign of any common ground for a compromise between the Persian Government and the company. Efforts are being made to-day In Abadan to get ice and fresh vegetables for the British cruiser Mauritius from Basra, 40 miles to the north, in Iraq. The Persian refusal to supply the Mauritius has angered the British community more than any other single incident in the whole nation-

a lisation dispute. The Mauritius is lying in the muddy, steaming waters of the Shatt Al Arab river, a few miles from Abadan port. The Persian Parliament to-day ignored a request from the Prime Minister (Dr. Mussadiq) for special urgency in dealing with two measures linked with the oil crisis. - The Majlis adjourned for the day without voting on a bill Which would punish Persians who have been “in league" with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. It also took no action on setting up a special Parliamentary and judicial committee to examine the documents seized in the recent raids on the British company’s offices in Teheran. Some deputies stated after the adjournment that the Majlis was deprived of a quorum bv the deliberate action of some members who walked out. It was stated that these deputies were anxious to avoid further publicity about the seized documents.