Message from Bagirov and Maslennikov on the Mood of the Population in Tabriz

[handwritten:] 183 words 03-15 18/12/45 [two illegible, possibly additional addresses]

To Cde. Stalin

To Cde. Molotov

To Cde. Beriya

To Cde. Malenkov

We report the mood of the population in Tabriz in connection with the formation of the national government of Azerbaijan.

The disarming of the Iranian garrison in Tabriz without bloodshed aroused great enthusiasm among all strata of the population and sharply raised the authority of the Democratic Party and the national government of Iranian Azerbaijan.

Measures taken by the government to bring order in the city have facilitated a growth of sympathy toward the new government, as well as strict measures taken regarding thieves, robbers, and other criminal elements [who are] using events in Iranian Azerbaijan for their personal benefit.

Part of the wealthy merchant class has noted with satisfaction the peaceful outcome of affairs in Tabriz and plans to turn to Tehran with an announcement of their decision to support the new Azerbaijani government.

The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Tabriz, Sadagyane, announced that he is renouncing his previous intention to leave Azerbaijan and has decided to support the new government.

Provocateurs are spreading rumors in Tabriz that the democrats will begin an attack [nastupleniye] on Tehran after establishing order in Tabriz.

A secretary of the American Consulate in Tabriz, Meyva Aprik, declared in a conversation that American circles are not against the democratic movement in Azerbaijan but they reportedly are well-informed of open Russian interference in this matter.

M. D. Bagirov

[signed]

I. I. Maslennikov

[unsigned]

18 December 1945 [handwritten:] “N16 06-05”

[stamped transmission and receipt forms at the bottom:]

Sent 0517 18.12.45 April OPS Duty Officer Tumanova; received N 16;  checked 0605 18.12.45 by OPS Duty Officer Tumanova