Hopeful Developments In Trouble Spots | Brooklyn Eagle, Dec. 10, 1953

The ‘Calm’ After the Storm
December 10, 1953 — The Brooklyn Eagle

The Mossadegh Project | January 3, 2013

Iran and Britain resumed diplomatic relations on December 5, 1953, an encouraging sign to the editors of this Brooklyn, New York newspaper.

• Iran Oil Consortium | Archive of Documents (1953-1954)

Hopeful Developments in Trouble Spots

In at least two centers of prolonged and dangerous international controversy there are signs of a simmering down of tempers and eventual adjustment of differences. Iran and Britain have announced renewal of diplomatic relations, broken off when Mossadegh took over the oil industry, and Italy and Yugoslavia at last have agreed to “normalize” their frontiers.

These are encouraging developments, giving substance to the conviction that all disputes between nations, regardless of how serious, lend themselves to settlement through peaceful and orderly processes when there is a sincere and firm will to reach an understanding.

Following agreement by the Big Three in Bermuda to defer transfer of British-American authority in Trieste’s Zone A until after a five-power conference on Trieste's future, both principals to the dispute have shown evidences of good faith. Troop reinforcements rushed to the frontiers when the crisis was acute are being withdrawn by Italy and Yugoslavia, and the atmosphere is again one of peace.

What the final settlement will be remains to be seen. The change in the setting from one of bloody riots, troop movements, threats and intense Communist activity to one of peace and order holds the hope that the proposed five-power conference will come up with a settlement.

All is not clear sailing in Iran even though diplomatic relations between Tehran and London have been restored. Nationalization is an accomplished fact and cannot be altered. The amount that the Anglo-Iranian Company should be paid for the properties seized remains to be determined, while General Zahedi, successor to the hapless Mossadegh, must deal with the dissident factions hostile to the resumption of good relations with Britain.

The Iranian situation is in hand, however, and the way is prepared for a return to normal conditions, including the functioning of an industry essential to the nation's economic survival.

**Divvying Up the Loot: The Iran Oil Consortium Agreement of 1954**

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Related links:

Relations With Iran | December 11, 1953 editorial

Progress In Iran | Greenville News (South Carolina), Oct. 11, 1953

Politics And Oil In Persia | Sydney Morning Herald, Dec. 7, 1953

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