MR. EDITOR:

I read with great discouragement Mr. Clyde Farnsworth’s “Soviets Woo ‘Dear’ Iran,” in your Oct. 4 issue.

To make Iran’s position clear, let me point out that in 1944 she refused to give Russia an oil concession despite the fact that the latter’s troops were still in her territory.

Now, what would a fair-minded person expect Iran to do in the present oil situation? Iran has, from the beginning, offered to compensate the former oil company. She has offered to employ only Western technicians. She has made it clear that the former customers have priority in the purchase of oil.

What else could she do? If it is expected that the Iranians are to remain under the yoke of an oil company which has sucked the lifeblood of the nation for 40 years, it is an expectation which will not be realized short of war.

IRANIANS are determined in their stand and could not any more endure the exploitation policy of the former oil company which has burdened them with hunger, poverty and squalor.

Iran sided with the Allies during World War II. She suffered terribly from the consequences of the war. When Mr. Roosevelt went to Iran in 1943, he promised her economic aid. [FDR] What happened after the war? Billions of dollars poured into Allied and belligerent countries from the United States. Iran stood by and watched, receiving none herself.

In 1949 the United States wanted to help. But Britain did not like the idea. Help was not given. A few weeks ago a $25 million loan was granted to Iran, but it is not now permitted to be utilized. Why? Britain would not like it.

THIS IS my conclusion in the light of the above:

If the former oil company insists on retaining its stronghold in Iran, there are probably two alternative policies for the United States. She could either demonstrate to the free world that she deserves the position of leadership she enjoys, by helping Iran, by urging Britain to act in accordance with the essential elements for building world brotherhood, and thus check communism in the Middle East and prevent World War III; or she could endorse imperialism by helping Britain against Iran and thus, in most probability, bring communism to the Middie East and start World War III.

—Javad Vafa, Bloomington.