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Prince Mahmud
Reza's difficulties with Gudarzian
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N.B. Khaibar
Gudarzian is the father of Shirin "Girl in the polka
dot dress" Gudarzian who figured prominiently in the
death of Robert Kennedy
Telegram From the Embassy in Iran to
the Department of State/1/
Tehran, November 5, 1964, 1 p.m.
/1/Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15-1
IRAN. Confidential.
515.
Deptel 359./2/ ForMinister spoke to me at some length
yesterday about Prince Mahmud Reza's difficulties with
Gudarzian. He said Shah and Prince are incensed about
this matter and cannot understand how things could have
developed to point that Prince's account was about to be
sequestered, obviously on basis falsified documents since
no check given Gudarzian and Prince not in US at time
papers allegedly served upon him, and furthermore how
this could have been going on without Prince knowing
anything about it until very last moment. Aram said did
not see how this kind of development could fail have
adverse effect on reputation US banks here, since news
bound get around. Amb Foroughi had just cabled
recommending that Princess Fatimeh withdraw any funds she
might have in US banks lest these be put in danger of
blocking. (Aram didn't think she had any deposited in
U.S.)
/2/Telegram 359 to Tehran, October 27, instructed the
Embassy to inform the Foreign Ministry that Khaibar
Gudarzian had obtained a New York court default judgment
against Prince Mahmud Reza for an amount in excess of $1
million, based on Gudarzian's claim that the Prince had
given a check for this amount to the World Sport
Federation, which was not honored upon presentation.
Court records indicated that the Prince had been
personally served with papers at Kennedy Airport in New
York on August 8, 1963, and had so far presented no
defense. Thus, the court was prepared to issue a default
judgment against the Prince's Morgan Guaranty Bank
account unless he took some effective legal action
without delay. (Ibid.)
At same time Aram showed me article from New York
Daily News of Oct. 29 reporting this whole matter in
manner highly unfavorable to Royal Family here, which he
said had angered Shah very much. He added both Shah and
he convinced that such article would not have appeared,
and Gudarzian would not have undertaken this legal
action, had USG taken steps to warn Gudarzian of
consequences of any further activity against good
relations between Iran and US. After it had been so
clearly shown that Gudarzian's assertions to McClellan
Committee were nothing but falsehoods, why had USG done
nothing to prevent Gudarzian from taking further action
based on same falsehoods, or at least to make sure that
his moves were ineffective?
How did it happen that bank had so
easily disclosed amount of Prince's account? Shah and
Aram were at loss understand how a crook like Gudarzian
should be able get away with all this, apparently so
easily. He was even reported as having said that some
people in State Dept were not displeased that he was
embarrassing Iranian Royal Family. All this having very
unfortunate effect on Shah, said Aram.
I made usual points that a Chief of State should not
permit himself be disturbed by attacks of man like this,
since such developments are part of penalties of being in
public life; US political and legal system unfortunately
offers opportunities for abuse; courts must take
cognizance of complaints brought before them and cannot
evaluate substance until these heard; I understood steps
to deport Gudarzian underway and perhaps he seeking delay
deportation by undertaking new legal action; as Aram
knew, Dept had offered provide Prince's lawyer with info
concerning Gudarzian's past record. It was clear from
Aram's reception of all this that it did not impress him
and that he did not believe it would impress Shah.
I do not myself understand how Gudarzian was able to
get so far with the New York Court, assuming truth of
Prince's statement that he not in US at time papers
reportedly served upon him. I would welcome any info Dept
can send me which may be helpful in counteracting highly
unfavorable impression this matter has created here.
Could not Dept take stronger action to warn Iranian
troublemakers of this kind against abusing hospitality of
US to create trouble for govt with which US maintains
friendly relations?/3/
/3/Telegram 399 to Tehran, November 10, informed the
Embassy that the court had granted a continuation of the
case until November 20 and that the Department was
actively pursuing with the Department of Justice and INS
all possible means of moving against Gudarzian and his
associates. (Ibid.)
Rockwell
For Further Reading:
Thanks and best wishes,
J. Barry O'Connell Jr.
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