July 21, 1952
MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT
1. The Iranian Situation
I described to the President the crisis which has developed in Iran over the weekend, in which the vacillation of the Shah, his refusal to give Qavam authority to dissolve the Majlis and restore order has led to various attempts by Qavam to resign to the spreading of disorder in Tehran, the joining of forces by the National Front and the Tudeh Party - in short the general disintegration of authority in Iran.
I said that Ambassador Henderson had been doing everything that was possible. He and the British Ambassador had joined in recommending that we offer financial assistance to Qavam. We have a plan ready to lay before the President and may do so later in the day, depending upon whether the latest information says that there is a government to which we can extend help.
S DA:ma
July 21, 1952
MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT
2. The Egyptian Situation
I reported to the President the crisis which had led to the resignation of Sirry Pasha as Prime Minister in Egypt.
S DA:ma
July 21, 1952
Meeting with the President
3. Honolulu Meeting
I told the President the approximate dates of the meeting in Honolulu and the matters to be taken up on the agenda.
We discussed the possibility of my making a speech on the way back. The President is inclined to believe a speech in Seattle would accomplish more than one in Los Angeles. This suggestion of his should be conveyed to those who are working on arrangements.
The president did not say anything about the Independence nor did I.
S DA : ma
July 21, 1952
Meeting with the President
4. Proposed Visit of the President of Panama
I went over this suggestion which the President had laid before us, recommending against it and giving the reasons contained in Mr. Miller's memorandum of July 14. The President entirely agreed and is willing to drop the idea of a visit from any South American chief of state at this time.
S DA:ma
July 21, 1952
Meeting with the President
5. Dr. Paul Douglas
The President does not know Dr. Douglas, has had nothing whatsoever to do with him and states most emphatically he does not represent the President in any way whatever. The President believes that if he is behaving as I described, he ought to be brought home.
S DA:ma
July 21, 1952
Meeting with the President
6. Reply to General Franco
We went over the proposed reply and the President is willing to send it. He asked that the letter contain the proper address at the bottom with Generalissimo Franco's correct title and name. If I send him a memorandum, he will have the letter typed, signed and sent us.
S DA:ma
July 21, 1952
Meeting with the President
7. Representation at the Vatican
I discussed with the President his memorandum to me of June 21, suggesting that we take up again the question of a representative at the Vatican. I recommended against this, pointing out that the President had already written to the Pope to say that he would not act on the matter during his term of office but would leave it for his successor. I thought that having done this and in view of the impression which I had that the Vatican was not altogether pleased with our nomination of General Clark and its aftermath we would be well advised to leave the whole matter alone. The President agreed and said that I may regard the suggestion as withdrawn.
S DA:ma