Evening star., 1951-08-19
Iran CounterproposaIs
Offered in Oil Dispute,
AROUSE New Optimism
BY ihe As,oeiated Press

TEHERAN, Iran, Aug. 18.-Iran
presented counterproposals to-
night in an attempt to settle her
oil feud with the British and a
somewhat more optimistic atmos-
ohere settled over the two-week-
old negotiations.
Richard Stokes, the British ne
yotiator, told reporters after the
three-hour meeting: I'm quite
sure the Iranians want to come to
a settlement"
Ali Shayegan, a member OF the
Iranian delegation, said there had
been an informal and friendly
exchange of views"
The two delegations agreed to
meet again tomorrow. The fact
that the negotiations were kept
alive, even though the Iranians
have announced their rejection OF
Mr.. Stokes plan to keep manage
|ment of the nationalized oil fields
and Abadan refinery in British
hands, was the most encouraging
phase of the situation.
Hartman in Key Role.
w. Averell Hartman, President
Truman's special envoy, was re-
ported to have played key role
in the talks tonight. He was pic
tured as urging the Iranians tc
consider carefully the British plan
which purports to give Premier
IMohammed Mossadegh's govern
ment a $3.50 share Of profits from
Iranian operations, previously car.
ried on by the British-ownec
Anglo -Iranian Oil Co.
The Iranians had announced
earlier they were rejecting the
Stokes plan. Mr.. Stokes had de-
clared it was "the best offer
can make" and added that remain
ing British oil technicians woulc
be leaving the country soon unles
Iran agreed to a speedy settlement
To observers. these develop
ments had sounded ominous.
But in the meantime Walter j
Levy, Mr.. Harriman's technica
oil adviser, closeted himself witt
Dr. Mossadegh for 2la hours. HI
went thoroughly into hard fact
facing Iran if she cuts loose from
British help in operating the in
dustry and has to depend eon re-
cruiting other foreign or Iranial
technicians.
i After tonight's meeting, MI
Stokes said the big obstacle wa
an Iranian "neurosis" fear o
British influence in the country i
BritonS remain even as oil flelt
managers under Iranian supervi
sion.
Although the Iranian team
strongly criticized several point
of his plan. Mr.. Stokes said, the,
did not reject it outright in tn
informal, unrecorded discussion.
4 Reluctant to Bargain.
4 Mr.. Stokes said he had mad
minor changes in his offer, bu
none in principle. Saying he wa
always optimistic" he told re
porters, IT hope the talks will b
concluded next week." and added
II am not a great believer i
bargaining. I believe in putin
. your best offer forward and stick
ing to it."
The details of the Irania
contemporaries were not dis
, closed. Both sides agreed to hol
up the release until tomorrow. M
Stokes said he himself had nc
yet heard it. as it was. handed t
him in the Iranian language.
Meanwhile the Senate, afte
considering the terms for a yea
voted Is to l today to accept
$25 million United States Export
Import Bank loan to buy agri
cultural machinery and highwa
building equipment. DR.. Mossa
degh originally was against tn
loan, but switched his views be
cause of a financial stringenc
arising from the shutdown on o
revenues. The Senate also ar
proved an internal bond issue {
! S62 million.