Report to V. M. Molotov on Fascist Vandalism in Tehran

Top Secret

Copy Nº 1

to Cde. V. M. MOLOTOV

According to a report from Cde. Atroshchenkov, the Soviet chargé d'affaires in Iran (telegram Nº 547-549 of 14 August), at 8 P.M. on 13 August a group of about 25 unknown persons appeared on the premises of the VOKS [All-Union Society for Cultural Relations] "News of the Day" exhibit on Naderi Street in Tehran and broke three windows of the showcase, "the glass of portraits of our leaders,….a bas relief of Lenin, …", tore down silk decorations, and took a portrait of Cde. I. V. Stalin. All these acts lasted two or three minutes. People with fascist armbands on the sleeves from the fascist organization "Sumka" were noticed among the attackers. Neighboring residents recognized three men among the hooligans who belonged to a Dashnak organization and one policeman dressed in the civilian clothing. It was noted that several of them had weapons. After the attack the hooligans left on a bus.

The regional chief of police who came to the location of the exhibit after the attack drew up a report about what had happened.

In the opinion of the Soviet Embassy the attack was committed by fascists from the "Sumka" organization, Dashnaks, and members of a so-called party of "workers" headed by Bagai, one of the leaders of the National Front; it was inspired by the Anglo-Americans [SIC] and palace circles in response to the events which occurred on 21 July and for the purpose of discrediting Mossadegh in our eyes.

The USSR MFA considers it necessary to give Cde. Atroshchenkov instructions to visit the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran and make an oral report to him in which attention is directed to this provocative act by hooligans against the VOKS exhibit and to insist that the Iranian authorities conduct a careful investigation of the circumstances of this incident, punish the guilty, and take the necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Leave the text of the oral report with the Minister in the form of an aide memoire, a draft of which is attached.

I request your agreement.

[Vyshinsky's signature]

16 August 1952

Nº 811-VK

[Stamp:] Secretariat of V. M. Molotov

16 August 1952

Incoming Nº M-11425ss

Draft

Aide memoire

At 8 P.M. on 13 August a group of about 25 unknown persons attacked the premises of the VOKS "News of the Day" exhibit on Naderi Street in Tehran, broke the glass of the showcase, broke furniture and other equipment of the exhibit inside the premises, and then fled. People with fascist armbands on the sleeves armed with weapons and one policeman in civilian clothing were noted among the hooligans who committed the attack on the premises of the exhibit.

The Soviet embassy directs the attention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran to these provocative acts by brazen hooligans and insists that the Iranian authorities conduct a careful investigation of the circumstances of this incident, strictly punish the guilty, and take the necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Embassy expects that it will be informed of the measures taken by the Iranian authorities.