OIL CRISIS IN PERSIA

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26523, 11 September 1951, Page 7

OIL CRISIS IN PERSIA

Intentions Of Dr.

Mussadiq

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. The Teheran correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” said that the decision of the Persian Prime Minister (Dr. Mussadiq) to try to make use of Mr Harriman’s services as an intermediary indicates that he is already regretting the hasty words which last week led Britain to break off the negotiations. It is believed that Dr. Mussadiq hopes that Mr Harriman can be persuaded * to effect a reconciliation.

The correspondent said that in Dr. Mussadiq’s speech yesterday there were references to other countries “much stronger than Britain who might take advantage of Persia’s weakness to seize our country,” and said that these references were regarded as clearly aimed to influence Washington to take action by invoking the spectre of Middle East Communism.

“It Is not to the benefit of Britain to force us to capitulate by creating economic difficulties." Dr. Mussadiq said in his address to the Majlis. “Someone more powerful than Britain is waiting for such an opportunity.’’ Dr. Mussadiq failed in his second attempt in four days to get a vote of confidence on his decision to send an ultimatum to Britain demanding the reopening of the oil talks. No vote was taken because the necessary quorum of members for voting, 78. was not present. Dr. Mussadiq said he would present the ultimatum to Britain without a vote of confidence. "I am going to inform Britain, through Mr Averell Harriman, our mediator, that if the British do not resume the talks the Abadan technicians will be expelled.’’ Dr. Mussadiq laid that so long as the British technicians remained in Abadan the Persians were unable to restart the refinery or sell oil to others. He added that Persia was prepared to par compensation to the ' late oil company” on the basis Of the company’s share capital.

Prime Minister’s Health “All the European countries—particularly Britain—want to keep the East irt servitude and exploit it. ’ said Dr. Mussadiq. His hand trembled a« he held a sheaf of papers, and there were heavy black shadows under his eyes which emphasised the pallor of his gaunt features. He told the deputies that he felt very 111. After the Majlis adjourned several Government deputies shouted slogans against the absentee Opposition deputies. The Speaker of .the House was asked to publish the names of all those absent Bo that the "nation shall know who are the traitors." Later to-dav the Government gave the dissident Opposition deputies their final 48 hours to register their disapproval of Dr. Mussadiq’s proposed ultimatum. , Mr Hussein Fatetni, Dr. Mussadiq’s assistant, said that the ultimatum would not be sent until late on Tuesday. He added that if the Opposition deputies convened a special meeting of the Majlis and succeeded in getting a majority vote against the ultimatum, it would not be sent. Political quarters said that the Opposition deputise knew that they could not carry a vote against Dr. Mussadiq and they were unlikely to attempt to convene a special meeting. These quartets also aald that he might amend the form of the ultimatum to demand “re-starting a new series of talks."

British Note It is learned that the British Note telling Persia that the previous talks series was now considered broken off, and not just suspended, will be delivered to the Persian Government tomorrow. Mr Hussein Fatetni said that the Government of _ Czechoslovakia had asked to buy Persian oil and was willing to appoint a representative in Teheran to arrange a contract. Mr Fatemi added that the Czechs said that they were willing fo simply all the necessary tankers. They wanted 500,600 tons of oil immediately and a further 2,000,000 tons later. The Persian Oil Board at Abadan had been authorised to sign whatever contracts for oil sales it deemed desirable. The Royal Navy is redistributing its naval forces in the Persian Gulf area. The Cruiser Mauritius will replace the EutyalUs off Abadan and the destroyers Chequers, Chieftain. Chivalrous and Chevron will return to the Mediterranean, being replaced by four battle class destroyers—the navy’s biggest