Post by Diarist on Sept 27, 2016 11:51:39 GMT 1
At the airport in Abadan we were met by John Cadman, the chief executive of the AIOC in Iran. He was surprised to see us because he believed we'd be arriving on the 7th. They were at the airport to meet the delegation from London, including the Army's engineers.
"How far is our accommodation from here?"
"It's a 5 minutes drive."
"Then let's go. You can be back in 15 minutes. I have an important question for you."
On the road I told him about the dossier my father had given me. "In the 1913 agreement, valid for 20 years, the British government gained a controlling interest in APOC. What happened to that controlling interest, John?"
"It's still there. Didn't Edward Jr. tell you?"
"I didn't have time to ask him before I left England. So in clear text, our government has a majority stake in AIOC? As a silent partner?"
"The extent of the ownership hasn't been made public."
"The 1933 Agreement didn't change that? May I also presume that Winston Churchill is privy to this information?"
"1933 changed nothing. Churchill was present at the 1913 talks, which were before my time here, and I have no idea what he knows about the 1933 Agreement."
We had arrived at a large 'hotel' and I thanked John Cadman for his clarification. "You are bringing the other guests here, John?"
"Yes, they are staying here too."
"Then I'll see you later."
After unpacking we visited the restaurant for an early lunch. I took Edward's dossier with me and I found no reference to a post-1933 controlling majority. I'd been thinking out loud.
"Maybe nothing's in there precisely because nothing changed," Sally argued.
"Make's sense but why did our government allow our stake in the Iraq Petroleum Company to fall from 50% to less than a quarter and then accept the Red-Line Agreement?"
"We had other problems in the early 1920's, Bob."
We left the restaurant and sat in a lounge and ordered coffee.
"I'm concerned about the expansion of US oil firms in Arabia. As if they didn't have enough oil of their own."
Sally was about to say something but instead she pointed to the hotel entrance. "Look who's here?"
John Cadman had arrived with the group from London. I stood up and walked towards them. Halfway there I saw my father with them. "Well, this is a surprise," and hugged him. COL John Franks, RE introduced himself and gave me a letter from Winston Churchill. "Sally's over there," I said to Dad. "Go and say hello while I chat with Colonel Franks."
"Are you prepared for an assignment here, colonel?"
"If it is deemed necessary. How is the situation here?"
"No idea. I only arrived a couple of hours ago so I'm just as informed as you are."
He introduced me to the other two officers then I joined Sally and Dad. I read Winston's letter and there was nothing in it relevant to Iran. Dad was talking. "I presumed that Winston had already briefed you."
"Don't worry about it. I should have talked with you before leaving England but my departure was moved forward and I forgot all about it. Maybe it has simplified the situation. We'll discuss it this evening. Fulfilling the 1933 Agreement has priority, that's why I'm here. I have to make a few notes and find John Cadman."
"How far is our accommodation from here?"
"It's a 5 minutes drive."
"Then let's go. You can be back in 15 minutes. I have an important question for you."
On the road I told him about the dossier my father had given me. "In the 1913 agreement, valid for 20 years, the British government gained a controlling interest in APOC. What happened to that controlling interest, John?"
"It's still there. Didn't Edward Jr. tell you?"
"I didn't have time to ask him before I left England. So in clear text, our government has a majority stake in AIOC? As a silent partner?"
"The extent of the ownership hasn't been made public."
"The 1933 Agreement didn't change that? May I also presume that Winston Churchill is privy to this information?"
"1933 changed nothing. Churchill was present at the 1913 talks, which were before my time here, and I have no idea what he knows about the 1933 Agreement."
We had arrived at a large 'hotel' and I thanked John Cadman for his clarification. "You are bringing the other guests here, John?"
"Yes, they are staying here too."
"Then I'll see you later."
After unpacking we visited the restaurant for an early lunch. I took Edward's dossier with me and I found no reference to a post-1933 controlling majority. I'd been thinking out loud.
"Maybe nothing's in there precisely because nothing changed," Sally argued.
"Make's sense but why did our government allow our stake in the Iraq Petroleum Company to fall from 50% to less than a quarter and then accept the Red-Line Agreement?"
"We had other problems in the early 1920's, Bob."
We left the restaurant and sat in a lounge and ordered coffee.
"I'm concerned about the expansion of US oil firms in Arabia. As if they didn't have enough oil of their own."
Sally was about to say something but instead she pointed to the hotel entrance. "Look who's here?"
John Cadman had arrived with the group from London. I stood up and walked towards them. Halfway there I saw my father with them. "Well, this is a surprise," and hugged him. COL John Franks, RE introduced himself and gave me a letter from Winston Churchill. "Sally's over there," I said to Dad. "Go and say hello while I chat with Colonel Franks."
"Are you prepared for an assignment here, colonel?"
"If it is deemed necessary. How is the situation here?"
"No idea. I only arrived a couple of hours ago so I'm just as informed as you are."
He introduced me to the other two officers then I joined Sally and Dad. I read Winston's letter and there was nothing in it relevant to Iran. Dad was talking. "I presumed that Winston had already briefed you."
"Don't worry about it. I should have talked with you before leaving England but my departure was moved forward and I forgot all about it. Maybe it has simplified the situation. We'll discuss it this evening. Fulfilling the 1933 Agreement has priority, that's why I'm here. I have to make a few notes and find John Cadman."