Assassination Fears? Perhaps...
Robert S. Allen — August 27, 1951

Arash Norouzi
The Mossadegh Project | December 23, 2012                  


Robert S. Allen (1900-1981) Inside Washington, a column covering domestic and international political happenings by Robert Sharon Allen (1900-1981) ran in U.S. newspapers for 31 straight years.

This excerpt from one such column quotes an alleged exchange between Premier Mossadegh and W. Averell Harriman, the U.S. mediator during the negotiations over the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company's holdings in Abadan.




INSIDE WASHINGTON
[excerpt from August 27, 1951 column]

By Robert S. Allen

SCARED TO DEATH

Inside reason for Iranian Premier Mossadegh's irreconcilable attitude is that he's scared stiff he will be murdered if he agrees to anything. He admitted that frankly to U.S. Arbiter Averill Harriman [sic — Averell] during one of their late-at-night talks. Harriman had chided Mossadegh for his uncompromising rejection of all proposals.

“The only way agreements are reached is by both sides making concessions,” said Harriman sternly.

The British have made many, but you have made none. That is not a fair or reasonable attitude.”

“You do not understand,” protested Mossadegh. “I would be assassinated within 24 hours if I accept a British proposal.”


The Eisenhower - Mossadegh Cables: Complete Exchange of Messages
The Eisenhower - Mossadegh Cables: Complete Exchange of Messages

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Related links:

Situation In Persia | Goulburn Evening Post, June 29, 1951

British Policies Irk Truman | Inside Washington, December 20, 1951

Deadlock in Iran | September 17, 1951 editorial



MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”

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