Evening star., 1949-11-13
Steers His Country
Through Series
of Crises

ABDUL teZd, dIGeT graduating
from Harvard, is now taking a
prominent part in the plan which
is actually under way. The Shah's
present visit to America is the
fruition of a long-held desire.
First invited to come here by
President Roosevelt and then by
President Truman, he had hoped
to come last year, but only now
have circumstances made it pos
sible. His eagerness to see our
country and to learn at first hand
the varied aspects of our national
life is as sincere as it is intense.
Iran Financially Sound
The Shah is coming here pri-
mariIy to see and to learn. He
wants to know us better and to
further our interest in his country
and its people. He has nothing
Immediately to ask in the way
of loans or grants. But he has
the satisfaction of demonstrating
to us a considered program of
self-help drawn up by the advice
of a most distinguished group of
American engineering firms func-
tioning collectively under an or
ganization known as Overseas
Consultants. Inc. After exhaus-
tive studies by qualified experts,
this organization has rendered a
flve-volume report which is the
basis OF the seven-year plan that
has been approved by the Iranian
Parliament. This report stresses
precisely those basic factors such
as raising the level of the masses
and increasing both their eff
cheney and patriotic awareness
which, as already stated, is en-
phasized by the Shah and his
native advisers.
The estimated total cost of the
seven-year plan is about $780,
100000. Fortunately. Iran is able
itself to finance the program, at
least through its early stages. It
has an assured source of revenue
from the royalties paid by the
Anglo-Iranian Oil Co., which ex-
ploits the enormous petroleum
deposits near the Persian gulf.
Those royalties have been ear
marked for this purpose. Since
Trans financial situation Is sound,
it is a good prospect for loans
from the World Bank for spe-
cific developmental projects as
these are approved by the plan
directors. The Shah Is UNDER
stood to be interested in the possi-
bility of participation by Ameri-
can private capital under mu-
tually advantageous conditions.
Such American investment would
arouse no apprehension or an
tagonism in Iran. because it Is
there realized that we have no
"imperialistic" designs such as
attended the entry of British or
Russian capital in former days.
Possibilities Good
OF course. the task of Trans
national regeneration Is as vast
as it is varied. Almost everything
must be literally overhauled, from
health and education to agricul-
ture, transportation and the con-
servation of natural resources.
Iran is a land largely arid, where
water must be carefully used,
from dam-impounding to irriga-
ton. Reckless deforestation and
soil erosion. continued for cen,
turies. must be slowly and pain
fully repaired. Its abundant
mineral wealth. thus far barely
tapped except for the oil fields,
must be surveyed and valorized.
Yet. despite ages Of neglect and
misgovernment, Iran has posi-
bilities sufficient to make it pros
porous and stable. It is a rela-
lively large country of more than
5000 square miles, and its pres
ent population of some 1900, 900
could be notably increased and
maintained at a level greatly
above the low standards now pre-
vailing.
Such a regenerated Iran would
be dependable and enduring
factor of stability in the Middle
East, much better able to resist
external aggression and virtually
to Communist infiltra-
tion.