September 15, 1953 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
| The Mossadegh Project | August 15, 2015 |
— Mossadegh, as quoted by the Associated Press
Even such respected institutions as The Philadelphia Inquirer showed a remarkable willingness to indulge in jocularity in their pages. Here is one example, in the run-up to Mohammad Mossadegh’s military trial nearly a month after the 1953 coup in Iran.
Three Chickens a Day
Although a court-martial has been ordered for him and some of his associates, Iran’s ex-Premier Mossadegh faces what appears to be an uncertain future with an astonishing appetite.
Aside from an appeal to the Shah not to give him a rough time for his political sins, [completely made up] the aged prisoner of state seems to be principally interested in food—“full and plenty.”
Complaining of previous fare he demanded three chickens a day, a hearty soup, a cutlet and some other fixings, to keep up his strength. According to best available information he’s getting the whole setup. A man who can eat like that may or may not have a good conscience.
But Mossadegh surely has capacity—for fowl. In the long run the Shah may decide to go easy on the old ex-Premier, after all. Iran’s ruler might decide to cut him down to only one chicken a day.
Related links:
The Mighty, Fallen | The Cincinnati Enquirer, Nov. 8, 1953
In Defense Of Mossadegh | Letter to Editor, Detroit Free Press (Dec. 11, 1953)
Mossadegh To Be Tried | Times Record, August 26, 1953
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”
