Page:Documents from the Den of Espionage.djvu/17

 CONFIDENTIAL

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION

Mr. Tourgeman commented that the Israeli operations here in Iran are almost clandestine. He said that while his Government was eager to expand relations with Iran, it realised the delicate position of the Iranian Government in recognizing both Israel and many Arab countries, and therefore did not push contacts too much.

He said that, given the position of the Iranian Jews who have immigrated to Israel, Iranians who study in Israel can be trained by former Iranians in the Persian language. This gives Israel a uniquely effective position in training agricultural technicians for small projects and small industrial projects. Tourgeman says his government will try discreetly to expand Israeli aid to Iran in the coming year.

COMMENT :

Tourgeman was very cordial and seemed interested in maintaining a contact with the American Embassy. Our conversation lasted for over an hour, at the end of which he urged us to call him when I return from home leave. POL.TGreene/nja

Distribution:
 * MPH-POLreading
 * WHAR
 * TG
 * BIO
 * CMD