241. Memorandum From the Chief of the Near East and Africa Division, Directorate of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Roosevelt) to Mitchell1
Following was received 15 July:
1. Tehran Station proposes holding off until after 21 July active campaign build up Zahedi as logical Mossadeq successor. This decision based on possibility that show of hands before scheduled demonstrations inspire Mossadeq use street mobs to destroy or intimidate Zahedi followers.
2. In attempt limit size demonstration Station intends:
A. Instruct opposition forces [less than 1 line not declassified] remain in homes 21 July in protest Tudeh participation in mourning for Nationalist martyrs of Qavam incident year ago.
B. Plant in controlled press of 19 and 20 July announcements that observance ceremony to be at martyrs gravesides in Rey—not in downtown Tehran. This should appeal Iranian sense of dramatic and Station [Page 627] hopes it result in lessening attendance at downtown demonstration thus reflecting on Mossadeq drawing power.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DDO Files, Job 80–01701R, Box 3, Folder 12, Misc. Correspondence—TPAJAX. Secret. The recipient is referred to as “Mr. Mitchell” in the original and is not further identified.↩