891.002/3–2747: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
225. [Here follows a paragraph discussing a request by the Turkish Ambassador that Ambassador Allen intercede with the Shah to retain Mr. Qavam as Prime Minister.]
I explained to him that a principal point of American policy in Iran is to prevent foreign interference in internal Iranian matters, not to engage in it ourselves. While agreeing that a strong Iran was in our interest and that Iran was weakened when the two most influential personages in the country, the Shah and Qavam, were at loggerheads, I said I could do no more than continue to advise both Shah and Qavam in principle that all Persians should cooperate for the unity of the country, since disunity would open the door to foreign penetration.
I have no reason to believe the Ambassador was acting under instructions from Ankara. There is possibility that Qavam may have sent him but I do not believe so.
During a conversation I had with Shah last night, the latter volunteered the information that he did not intend to remove Qavam at present, despite charges of corruption which were being brought to him daily. He asked, however, whether I thought he was fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities by remaining a spectator when such corruption existed. I expressed the personal view that the responsibility for removing or sustaining the government should be placed on the Majlis, soon to convene.