Teheran (NANA)—Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran, for the first time since the oil incident and since he became prime minister, spoke in specific terms here about Iranian plans for the operation of the new Iranian National Oil Company. [National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)]

He also made some reference to Russo-Iranian relations.

Mossadegh started the conversation by saying: “The Iranian government prepared a formula for an agreement which was handed to Ambassador Averell Harriman a few days ago for his transmission to the British government. According to that formula, the oil from the Iranian wells, the selling and refining of it should be done by the Iranian government. All three aspects should be accomplished by the Iranian government.”

[Harriman was the special envoy to Iran appointed by Truman, the U.S. Ambassador was Loy Henderson]

Asked if the government would sell all or part of the oil to the British, the prime minister replied: “We have already decided to sell our oil to all former customers, no matter who they are—England and any other former customer included, if they wish to buy our oil. Our plan is to distribute the oil to the free countries of the world, to those that were previous customers.”

“The British government could get as much as it used to get formerly, and we expect the other governments to contact the Iranian government as soon as possible for the purchase of their requirements. Announcements have been made in the press of the various countries that were customers, and will continue to be made for a reasonable time. They must contact the Iranian government for the purchase of their needs within a short time.” The definite date has not been set.

Afghanistan, Pakistan and India already have representatives in Iran to negotiate with the government for the purchase of oil.

In reply to Richard Stokes, the head of the British delegation for a settlement of the oil situation, who told a press conference that Britain had 53 offices for the distribution of Iranian oil, and that it would be better, therefore, that the oil be sold through Britain, Mossadegh said: “Fifty-three sales branches do not oblige us to permit our full distribution to the British government.”

In reference to the refusal of the Iranian members of the subcommittee to meet to discuss tanker receipts—now in the possession of the Iranian government—the prime minister stated: “The Iranians have refused to meet because, since the oil is nationalized, the purchaser is obliged to pay for the oil to the Iranian government in cash or credit.”

Mossadegh added: “Our policy is to keep the British or other foreign technicians in the field until Iran has its own nationals to replace them. This change will be a gradual one.”

He also indicated that the present board of directors of the Iranian National Oil Company is a temporary one. “A permanent board will be chosen by the government as soon as the constitution for the oil company, now under consideration in parliament, has been approved.”

Referring to Iran’s postwar claims against Russia for 512,000,000 in gold and $8,000,000 in currency removed from the country by Russia during the wartime occupancy, the prime minister assured the writer that Iran is cognizant of this debt, and added these words:

“Regarding Russia, we have by no means forgotten our claims. They are still under consideration.”

[Despite Iran’s dire economic situation during this period, the Soviets continued to withhold their debt to Iran until after the 1953 coup]

The premier again assured the writer that it is Iran’s plan to distribute its oil to the free countries of the world, the previous customers.

Mossadegh for many years was a member of the Iranian majlis (parliament). He was the leader of the minority in parliament—a minority which successfully influenced the majority. Nationalization was the idea of the minority, headed by Mossadegh.

Though the prime minister comes from a family in modest circumstances, he was always very popular. He was educated in France and has a doctor of laws degree. He is thoroughly devoted to the welfare of Iran, and desires to see Iran become a more powerful nation.