stoutfellow

I just finished reading Stephen Kinzer's All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror, an account of the CIA-instigated coup in 1953 against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh of Iran. I'll say something about it as history in another post - it'll take me a while to organize my thoughts - but I'd like to discuss it a bit as literature first.

It's not a long book - only about 230 pages, not including notes and such - and it's told in a light, even breezy fashion. The story it tells is an exciting one. It could be interpreted as a classical tragedy with Mossadegh as hero: the young idealist, the years in the wilderness, the triumphant return, the gathering storm as his flaws are mercilessly exploited by his enemies... But no. Let me illustrate with one striking passage. It is the spring of 1951, and Britain and Iran are headed for confrontation over the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Prime Minister Ali Razmara has recently been assassinated, and the young Shah has named his replacement, one Sayyed Zia. The Majlis - Parliament - has gathered to discuss the nomination. Mossadegh, a fiery orator, is expected to hold forth vigorously in opposition; instead, he sits quietly when the speaker opens the floor.

A prominent right-wing deputy named Jamal Emami, who was on the British payroll, took the floor instead. Emami did not even mention Sayyed Zia. Instead he launched into a bitter attack on Mossadegh, pillorying him for having plunged the Majlis into immobility and paralyzed the country with his constant carping. If the old man wanted a real challenge, Emami said scornfully, he should try being prime minister himself and see how difficult the job was. Mossadegh had several times turned aside suggestions that he take over the government, and Emami said he knew the reason why: Mossadegh was one of those irresponsible windbags who delight in making speeches about how wrong everyone else is, but never offer anything positive.

The chamber fell silent as Emami finished. Mossadegh waited for a long moment and then rose to his feet. Speaking slowly and deliberately, he said that he was honored and grateful for the suggestion that he become prime minister and would in all humility accept. Everyone was stunned, Emami most of all. Soon the shock turned to pandemonium. A formal motion was made that Mossadegh be named prime minister, and the speaker called for an immediate vote. It passed by a margin of seventy-nine to twelve.

Political theater at its finest.