The Story of Separation of Bahrain from Iran and a Memory from General Fereydoun Jam

Translated by: Atiyeh As'ad

2015-7-25

These days that the uprising of Bahrain people for attaining political rights and freedom has drew attention of people of the world, with regard to the fact that the majority of Bahrain people are Shi'a and interested in the close relationship with Iran, a letter from General Fereydoun Jam, Head of Headquarter of Military of Iran in the former government, on the separation of Bahrain from Iran attracted me. As far as I know recognizing the independence of Bahrain from Iran's side was the result of a secret compromise between the Shah and the British and the Shah consented to disclaim about the plead on Bahrain in exchange for the promise of transfer of Islands of Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb (Tonb-e Bozorg and Tonb-e Kuchak). The case was settled and closed in this way that the delegation of United Nations would ask for Bahrain people's opinion, if they are in favor of independence or joining Iran. And an opinion poll was conducted by sending a surveying mission from United Nations and not by conducting a referendum and the mission's commented that according to the survey and investigations, the majority of Bahrain people are in favor of independence.
General Fereydoun Jam gets a point to a letter dated 21st of October 1995 he signed which published at No 40 of Rahavard Journal in America and mentions to a meeting held after the declaration of Bahrain independence by the United Nations in Tehran and says: In the meeting the Shah, the Ministers and the Statesmen were present and as the head of military headquarters I also was present. The Shah was very happy, the Bahrain issue was recently resolved and it was the main subject of the meeting.
The audience praised the Shah for his clear-headedness, realism and farsightedness that solved the trouble and congratulated him. I was standing quietly in a corner. Suddenly the Shah addressed me: “What is your idea as military in this regard?”
I remember fine that I replied him that: “As we don't have the right to intervene in the politics and political decision, we don't deserve ourselves any rights to comment in this regard. We know our place and know what to do. We should all support the policy of our country.” The Shah said: “All right but you should have had a point of view in your mind. What do you yourself think about what we did in Bahrain?” I replied him with respect: “As the Shah asks for my personal point of view I would like to express that whether Bahrain was a piece of our territory or we had just its claim. I think all the evidence shows that like the other parts of our country Bahrain has been a part of our territory. Therefore I no way concern it good that it was asked from some of the people of this country whether you want to remain a part of this country or do otherwise. Those who have such opinion in Bahrain are rebels and they should be treated like rebels. Foreign countries must not have the right to interfere in internal affairs of our country.”
The Shah that had heard different views than mine from the audience was taken aback and said: “Don't talk nonsense. And the issue was not raised anymore.”
Later, Fereydoun Jam was removed from the head of Military Headquarters and appointed as the ambassador of Iran in Spain that could be considered as a respectful exile. Fereydoun Jam was also called for the position of Secretary of Defense by Shapour Bakhtiar at the revolution period but since the Shah didn't accepted his conditions and authorities he desired, Jam rejected this position. Fereydoun Jam has passed away in London in 2008.

Persian Source: Bokhara, No. 81, May and June 2011
http://oral-history.ir/show.php?page=notions&id=198