PART ONE - Surfacing the Problem

CHAPTER TWO: "TROUBLE IN TEHRAN"

Napa Valley, February 1953

Once the operator announced Jacques and Mike were on the line, David got right to the point. "After two unsuccessful oil negotiation years, Iranians realized British unwillingness to increase royalty payments on production from twenty to the prevailing fifty percent Middle East rate. The thirty-point difference would provide billions to transform their agrarian nineteenth-century country into a twentieth-century developing nation.

"Prime Minister Mossadegh and the constitutional government believe the British negotiate in bad faith. With no viable alternative, the Senate and Majlis voted to nationalize the oil industry. No one knows how the British may retaliate."

Jacques, familiar with contemporary Middle Eastern oil history, asked, "What makes Iran different from oil-rich neighbors whose fees already rose from twenty to fifty percent?"

Ready with the answer, David quickly responded. "In 1949, voting control of the Majlis shifted from the authoritarian, British-controlled Shah regime and Royalist Party to the popularly elected National Front Party. It's believed the reduced political control coupled with the 1941 oil agreement renegotiation convinced the British they needed tighter grip over this strategic resource."

Jacques asked, "If so, wouldn't the British use nationalization to justify taking over?"

David replied, "That's why I called. It's worse. I received Iranian government reports that American CIA and British MI-6 agents arrived in Tehran. Could we be witnessing an Anglo-American covert effort to control the government and oil?"

"Duly noted," Jacques said before asking, "David, have you heard the name Sam Naraghi in Iran or the Middle East?"

"Who hasn't? You can't be in Iran without frequently hearing the respected Naraghi name. They reportedly converted four hundred thousand arid acres into intensively cultivated, irrigated farms. They're called the family 'pushing back the desert.' Their imaginative 'lease-to-own' contract transferred twenty-acre parcel titles to farming refugee families comprising the four hundred thousand total. Their reclamation enabled twenty thousand families private land ownership, safe, modern homes, and dignified employment. The vertically integrated operations are called 'the nation of citizen farmers.'"

Jacques added, "Sam Naraghi is an old friend. As current family leader, he should know what's happening."

Mike then said, "Funding covert operations requires major finances. Someone in London, Wall Street, or Washington must know what's organized. We should dig deeper."

In a halting voice, David suggested, "I still have old London friends who might know the plans. I should return and discover what the British government and oil companies hope to achieve. It may take time, but I'll dig deep and long enough to get a good idea."

Concentrating on their talk, Jacques and Mike failed to notice Jacques' wife, Claudine, quietly enter. Following a break in discussion, she moved forward and said, "Tony worries your absence is uncomfortably apparent. He fears it may disturb the wonderful evening synergy he worked hard to create."

Refocusing on the call, Jacques said, "David, we understand your concerns. We need to learn more before determining if this is a Sentinel threat. After talking to our sources, let's meet in New York and discuss the findings with the others."

After a quick goodbye to David, they reentered the dining room. Jacques immediately noticed the inquisitive looks. Flashing his trademark grin, he asked, "Who speculated how long before the next threat appears?

"David reported from Iran. The British government and oil companies may plan to restore the despotic Shah regime and seize complete oil control.

"If David is right, we face serious British imperialism. He says time is limited to get up to speed and develop an opposition plan. Since it's hard for us to be together, why don't we adjourn tonight, extend our stay a day, and reconvene tomorrow morning?"

Before a Tehran problem discussion could start, Cecelia asked, "If we engage this Iranian issue, how will we devote the time and energy the institute development will undoubtedly require? If we engage, I hope we can pursue both objectives."