LETTER TO MR. GEORGE CARROLL FROM RICHARD HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000400190058-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 16, 2003
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: May 9, 1966
• Content Type: LETTER

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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
May 7, 1966
Jack Smith's IM No. 0813 /66, "U. S. -Iranian Relations, " is ex-
tremely helpful.
I enclose a copy of our thanks to Jack.
You will note from our letter of thanks to Jack the feeling here
that one of our most difficult tasks is to arrive at common assess-
ments of the threats to Iranian security. Over the years we find that
our toughest stumbling block arises from those occasions when events
and forces are shifting around the world, while our policy makers ar-
rive at different tentative conclusions concerning those changes. I
think we are in that sort of problem area at the moment in trying to
come to grips with the Iranian problem. That is why your Intelli-
gence Memorandum is so exceedingly helpful at this time.
if Q k...,
George 7. Carroll
Mr. Richard Helms
Deputy Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia
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May 7, 1966
The Vice President adknowledges the receipt of IM No. 081316-6.
"U. S. -Iranian Relations. " The Vice President is particularly pleased
that your work is so timely and useful.
It would be helpful in the future to have an operational review of
the Arabistan operation directed against Khuzistan. We do not grip
the facts and therefore do not know if the threat to Southern Iran is
real. We see the increasing threat to Iran caused by the crumbling
British maritime position around the Arabian Peninsula, and the move-
ment into that vacuum of persons, funds, and forces controlled or in-
directly controlled by Nasser. A decent appreciation of the maritime
position, among other things, is needed in order to assess the Shah's
requirements for increased naval presence in the Persian Gulf. Mean-
while, the Peterson Report 'acknowledges the Arab threat to Iranian
security...' and its recommendations are helpful in laying down pre-
mises for policy adjustments.
It might also be helpful to have from you continuing reminders of
the overall U. S. -Iran balance of inputs and outputs. The extent to
which U. S. and free world citizens are taking dollars out of Iran ought
to be included in the overall determinations of Iran's capacity to ex-
pend its resources for military purposes.
Again, may I tell you how very helpful your Intelligence Memoran-
dum is to this Office.
Sincerely,
George A. Carroll
Mr. R. J. Smith
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia
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