The Long View
December 22, 1953 — The Advertiser
December 22, 1953 — The Advertiser
| The Mossadegh Project | April 3, 2020 |
An editorial on Iran in The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia) newspaper.
• Iran Oil Consortium | Archive of Documents (1953-1954)
SEEKING AGREEMENT ON OIL
General Zahedi is progressing by cautious but sure steps towards his objective of a settlement between Persia and Britain. [The new Premier, Fazlollah Zahedi] Persian public feeling over the oil dispute, long inflamed by Dr. Mossadeq, is still sensitive to any move which might be construed as a weakening of Government policy. Anti-British demonstrations in Tehran earlier this month showed how easily a fresh flood of fanaticism could be released.But while wary of the explosive forces in the country, General Zahedi seems to be steadily consolidating his position. In securing the Shah’s approval for the dissolution of both Houses of Parliament, he is clearly hoping to place his regime on a constitutional basis, and to prepare for the necessary Parliamentary action giving effect to an agreement between the Persian and British Governments.
The Premier’s prospects of obtaining popular and Parliamentary backing for a settlement with Britain are not altogether unpromising. Although British motives are still suspect in some Persian quarters, there is growing recognition of the advantages to be gained from restoring the oil industry. The recent resumption of diplomatic relations thus appears to have been accepted with reasonable goodwill.
Though the chances of reviving a working friendship between the two countries are improved, much depends on the terms of an agreement on the oil question. General Zahedi himself has long favored nationalisation of the Persian oil industry, but Britain, too, is now committed in principle to this change. Compensation for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. is still one of the chief problems to be overcome; but in this matter, perhaps, Britain can now afford to take a longer view.
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Related links:
Dr. Mossadeq’s ‘Last Offer’ | The Advertiser, Sept. 26, 1952
Progress In Iran | The Greenville News (South Carolina), Oct. 11, 1953
Politics And Oil In Persia | The Sydney Morning Herald, Dec. 7, 1953
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