RIOTS IN TEHRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 01068



E.O. 12356:DECL:OADR

TAGS: PINS IR

SUBJ: RIOTS IN TEHRAN



1. (C-ENTIRE TEXT)



2. WESTERN AMBASSADOR HAS SHARED WITH US THE

REPORT OF HIS COLLEAGUE IN TEHRAN ON THE

FEBRUARY 16 RIOTS.



3. THE WESTERN EMBASSY NOTES THAT THE IRANIAN

PRESS CLAIMED THAT THE RIOTS BEGAN BECAUSE A

FOOTBALL GAME WAS POSTPONED DUE TO BAD

WEATHER MAKING THE TURF UNSUITABLE FOR PLAY.

THE EMBASSY BELIEVES THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE

REAL REASON. A CROWD OF FROM TWO TO

FIVE THOUSAND THREW STONES AND CARRIED

PICTURES OF THE SHAH'S SON. THE PRESENCE

OF THE PICTURES SUGGESTS A PRE-ARRANGED,

NOT SPONTANEOUS, DEMONSTRATION, AND FURTHER

SUGGESTS THAT CANCELATION OF THE FOOTBALL

GAME WAS NOT BECAUSE OF A WET PITCH. FURTHER,

SLOGANS WERE SHOUTED AGAINST THE REGIME

AND SOME SHOTS WERE HEARD.





4. THE EMBASSY IN TEHRAN NOTES THAT THE

CLAIMS OF THE MUJAHIDIN FROM BAGHDAD WERE

MUCH EXAGGERATED (COMMENT: AS USUAL),BUT

CLEARLY ANY DEMONSTRATION MUST WORRY THE

IRANIAN REGIME. RUMORS ARE BEGINNING TO FLOOD

TEHRAN, WITH COMPARISONS TO THE BEGINNING OF

THE TROUBLES IN 1979 RAMPANT. MORE

MILITARY ACTIVITY THAN USUAL HAS BEEN

NOTED IN THE CITY.



GLASPIE