July 23, 1952 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Mossadegh Project | July 8, 2014 |
The editors of the historic Pennsylvania newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer react to the return of Mossadegh as Premier in this editorial.
Reds Again Spike Move
Toward Stability in Iran
By returning the ancient and tricky Premier Mossadegh to power, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi once more has bowed to the extremist elements which have been pushing his nation on a recklessly suicidal course.
In the appointment of Ahmed Qavam [Ahmad Ghavam] as premier a few days ago, there were grounds for hope that Iran’s oil dispute with Great Britain, source of the growing bitterness and difficulties gripping the nation, might at last be solved on a workable basis.
But those hopes have been dashed, and replaced by greater fears, in the new outbreaks of violence which led Qavam to quit, and the badgered Shah, in desperation, to reappoint Mossadegh.
Behind all these events, so full of potential dangers for the West, can be seen the bloody hand of Communism. Even Mossadegh, who has been playing the risky game of stirring Iranian fanatics into bursts of hatred against the West, must realize that there can be only one end to that course. Not only Iran’s oil, but Iran itself, would fall into Communist hands.
The recent rioting and violence in Iran demonstrate that the Communists’ chief aim right now is to prevent a return to stability in that country. The Iranian Communists joined rabid right-wing nationalists in denouncing Qavam, demanding his resignation, and creating a state of near civil war. The Communists do not love Mossadegh, but so long as he represents chaos, they will be pleased to have him as Premier.
During his previous term as Premier, Mossadegh failed to see this. He refused to concede that the best thing for his country would be a reasonable oil settlement. He watched oil revenues disappear, and misery spread over his country, and still fought against any sane approach to the problem of producing and marketing oil.
Now he is back in the saddle, put there with the aid of Communist pressure. Iran’s situation is worse than ever, which can be satisfying only to Soviet Russia.
Iran was the first nation in the post-war years which stood up to the threats and force of Soviet Russia—and won. Her fate may now rest upon Mossadegh's recognition that he must thwart Communist aims by coming to a sensible oil settlement which can restore stability to his country.
Related links:
Drew Pearson on the Return of Mossadegh as Premier | August 3, 1952
Mossadegh Is Bad Medicine | The Ogden Standard-Examiner, August 3, 1952
Fear of Successors Is Latest Mossadegh Excuse | Buffalo Courier-Express, March 27, 1953
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”