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Dec. 12, 1951 — Lawrence Daily Journal-World

The Mossadegh Project | February 17, 2016                       


This was the lead editorial in The Lawrence Daily Journal-World newspaper of Lawrence, Kansas on December 12, 1951.



More Than Iran Can Chew

It is beginning to appear that the Iranian government does not command the know-how to operate the oil industry which it commandeered from the British owners. The oil business has collapsed and the nation’s treasury is empty. [Iran could operate the industry to 30% capacity, but could not export oil due to the British blockade and economic sanctions]

Under those conditions Premier Mossadegh is said to have signified his willingness for the World Bank to take over the oil business and operate it under the supervision of the government. [for a two year period only]

It is not known just how anxious the World Bank is to take over an additional pain in the neck, which the oil industry in Iran would be for a time. But the government must have somebody. To hasten action it has permitted the report to circulate that if western interests do not undertake something to save the situation, the Russians will be called in. [Not true]

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

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Related links:

It’s Not What You Own | U.S. editorial, October 26, 1951

More Oil in Middle East | The Lawrence Daily Journal-World, December 29, 1951

Iranian Oil Deal a New Victory for Free World | The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 6, 1954



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

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