Word: anglo
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...which gave Iran a royalty of four shillings to the ton. By the standards of the day, that was no more than a hard bargain by the empire, but by 1951 standards, it was exploitation. Under the agreement-still in effect-the British government got more revenue from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. in taxes alone than the Iranian government received from all its sources of income...
...Even the Communists have for the moment been stopped by Mossadeq's popularity. They have called off street demonstrations and other political action, evidently waiting to strike if & when Mossadeq makes a mess of things. If, for instance, large-scale unemployment should result from mismanagement of the oilfields (Anglo-Iranian employs 80,000 people), no one doubts that the Communists would make the most of the situation and attempt to seize power...
Last week, when Sir William Fraser, chairman of Anglo-Iranian, indicated that he was about to take a "tough" line with Mossadeq, Grady immediately cabled Washington, which put pressure on Fraser via London to be reasonable. At the same time, Grady informed the Iranians that 1) the U.S. recognized Iran's right to nationalize its resources, but 2) would not make available U.S. technicians to run the nationalized fields. Last week, limited U.S. pressure showed some limited results...
...commission "as a measure of respect to the Imperial Government and the Iranian Parliament." Reports trickled out of Parliament that some members of the commission were counseling coolness, conciliation and delay. The British still hold some cards which, if played wisely, might give Iran pause. In taking over Anglo-Iranian, the Mossadeq government has assured the British of compensation (about 25% of current oil revenues). Iran not only lacks capital to pay this, but probably will not even be able to raise the $60 million needed annually for the company's operations. Mossadeq will not compromise on anything...
Between gasps, the Prime Minister told correspondents that Iran would "fight to the death" for oil nationalization, added: "The first step towards the country's reform is to get rid of Anglo-Iranian agents who have sacrificed the whole nation to satisfy their greed." But he showed awareness of what was at stake in Iran for the free world: "The free nations of the world who assist Iran in this struggle will not only prevent the fall of this, one of the oldest nations of the world, but by survival of this nation, the fate of the world...