711.61/4–1348: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
386. Made my call at noon today on Soviet Ambassador Sadtchikov. I was accompanied by First Secretary Wilson and Assistant Military Attaché Gagarine, who has fluent knowledge Russian. Soviet Ambassador had with him an interpreter, Oushomirsky, with fairly good knowledge English.
Soviet Ambassador received me with courteous reticence. After exchange of polite banalities, I told him I had read with much interest his notes to the Iranian Government in which he alluded to American activities in Iran, especially those of the military mission. I said “Your notes are worthy of the highest tradition of Russian romantic fiction.” The Soviet Ambassador was silent. I continued that, however, I was sure his notes were based on misinformation, not on malice.
The Soviet Ambassador then replied in a rather embarrassed manner that his notes had been based on accurate information and that in fact he had held back certain additional information. He added perhaps we could discuss the matter further at some later date. I went on, however, stating that American policy was dedicated to peace and goodwill. The American advisers were here for the benefit, not of the United States, but of Iran, which had asked for them. I assured him I wanted to work with him in a cordial and friendly manner. I repeated that his information had been erroneous, I said I would gladly arrange for him and his collaborators to see every aspect of American activities in Iran. For this he could prepare his own program.
I quoted Pushkin “veracity can never be a restraint to genius” and politely explained that I in no way desired to impede the genius of His Excellency, but would be very happy for him to see everything American in Iran with his own eyes. There was no response. I repeated that I was very eager to collaborate with him fully. The Soviet Ambassador, perhaps slightly perturbed, turned the conversation to events in Colombia, and discussed at great length conflicting press reports on Gaitan; whether Gaitan had been assassinated or merely wounded. Refreshments were served copiously. Then, in an atmosphere of considerably heightened cordiality, the Ambassador took us for an extended tour of the magnificent Russian compound. By comparison the American compound looks like an abandoned gravel pit.
Repeat Moscow 26.