oliviergoldschmidt
Un livre, un jour
Here is a picture that has circulated around the world in its time: Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. Teheran, a sunny December morning, 1943.
Rooswelt asks Churchill what has become of the ruler of this country, Shah Reza. The Shah admired Hitler and surrounded himself with Hitler's people. There were Germans all over Iran, in the palace, the ministries, the army.
Hitler was at war with England and Russia and our monarch could not tolerate England and Russia; he rubbed his hands gleefully as the Führer's armies advanced.
Then, at a moment of crisis, as german divisions were advancing farther and farther eastward, the Shah suddenly refused the Allies use of the railroad.
They moved decisively: units of the British and Red armies entered Iran in August 1941. The British, who respect even those monarchs who betray them, left Reza Khan an honorable way out: Would His Highness kindly abdicate in favour of his son, the heir of the throne? We have a high opinion of him and will ensure his position. But His Highness should not think there is any other solution.
The Shah agreed and in September of that year 1941, his twenty-two year son Mohammed Reza Pahlavi ascended the throne.
Ryszard Kapuscinski, Shah of Shahs
Un livre, un jour
Here is a picture that has circulated around the world in its time: Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. Teheran, a sunny December morning, 1943.
Rooswelt asks Churchill what has become of the ruler of this country, Shah Reza. The Shah admired Hitler and surrounded himself with Hitler's people. There were Germans all over Iran, in the palace, the ministries, the army.
Hitler was at war with England and Russia and our monarch could not tolerate England and Russia; he rubbed his hands gleefully as the Führer's armies advanced.
Then, at a moment of crisis, as german divisions were advancing farther and farther eastward, the Shah suddenly refused the Allies use of the railroad.
They moved decisively: units of the British and Red armies entered Iran in August 1941. The British, who respect even those monarchs who betray them, left Reza Khan an honorable way out: Would His Highness kindly abdicate in favour of his son, the heir of the throne? We have a high opinion of him and will ensure his position. But His Highness should not think there is any other solution.
The Shah agreed and in September of that year 1941, his twenty-two year son Mohammed Reza Pahlavi ascended the throne.
Ryszard Kapuscinski, Shah of Shahs