Well, I should give this time line thing another go. I promise I’ve done my reading in advance this time. The "Great Civilisation" is what the Shah termed his overall goal for Iran, we shall see what shall really become of it...
The Great Civilisation Is Just Around The Corner
Asadollah Alam, The Shah and I: the Confidential Diary of Iran's Royal Court (1991, Taurus and Co., London) [1]
In April of 1974 I was informed by HIM [His Imperial Majesty, the Shah]’s personal physician, Dr. [Abdulkarim] Ayadi, who took me aside when I had flown to Kish Island for the day, and informed me that we must send for the French hematologist, Dr. Jean Bernard. I asked him why, but he would not tell me anything, only that we must send for him immediately. I was in a state of shock for the rest of the day and in a dreadful state, wondering what sort of disease can show up so suddenly. On the plane I could think of nothing but what would happen to the country if it were shorn of its leader… had the Shah not been on board I truly believe I would have preferred the plane to crash; at least in that way I would have been spared such painful thoughts.
On the next day, April the 10th, I had an audience with HIM and asked after his health, and told him I had had Dr. Bernard’s office called by my doctor, Abbas Safavian[2] called only to find he was away for the whole week. HIM told me that there had been some matters with his spleen; it had become swollen and he was keen to establish that there has been no change with his circulation, which was a great relief to me. The next week Dr. Bernard and an associate, Dr. Georges Flandrin, flew to Mehrabad and was greeted by him. They then met me for lunch and I told them, to their surprise, that I wanted them to see HIM. At the time, I was not privy to the nature of the Shah’s illness, but immediately afterwards it was apparent that something was amiss. Dr. [Abdulkarim] Ayadi, [the Shah’s physician] seemed guarded and reticent, although I was not the one who made light of this at first. Rather, it was Princess Ashraf.
As HIM’s closest confidante and twin sister, Princess Ashraf, upon arriving back in the country from an overseas trip in early May, seemed to immediately tell that something was wrong in the court. She asked me not soon afterwards about HIM’s schedule, if anything unusual or any aberrances had taken place. I was forthright with her and mentioned Dr. Bernard’s visit, amongst a few other events which I now assume to be inconsequential. She immediately went to see Dr. Ayadi and confronted him in regards to what had transpired during Dr. Bernard’s visit. Later I learnt that Dr. Ayadi, had all but refused to tell Princess Ashraf about HIM’s state, but eventually h relented and was told the Shah had been diagnosed with Waldenström's lymphoma, a cancer.
Immediately she went into a rage, telling us afterwards that Dr. Ayadi had planned to hide this from not only the court but HIM himself! She went and called over Dr. Bernard’s associate immediately, who professed ignorance of Ayadi’s duplicity and said that he never advised such deception. Dr. Bernard was called back in and on- May the twentieth, I think it was, HIM was informed of his condition. I too was informed of at this time. He took it rather stoically, but was profoundly disappointed with Dr. Ayadi, who had been a very close companion of his for many years; indeed, I would say he was overtly angry with him, a very rare occurrence. There was no issue of his dismissal.
As I mentioned, Dr. Ayadi had been a close associate of HIM for several years, and had become very wealthy, owning many companies including the mining firms of Sonbol and Shilit. He was special inspector of the Army's health service, the head of high council of medicine, and the president of the Etka organization which was the main purchaser for the army. The medication organization was under his charge. He also enjoyed the monopoly of shrimps granted to him by HIM. An investigation was launched, at Princess Ashraf’s urging, to find corruption, which in his case was inevitable. However it was also found that Ayadi was in the employ of the British intelligence service, which took all of us by surprise. HIM went into a veritable rage at this news, for he has always regarded the British with suspicion. Only his residual affection for the man and the pleas of HMS [Her Majesty the Shahbanou, Empress Farah] prevented his execution, and Dr. Ayadi was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
All the time, there was the matter of HIM’s illness. It turned out the diagnosis of Waldenström's lymphoma was not right. Princess Ashraf was convinced that it was again one of Ayadi’s duplicities, while HMQ was inclined to consider it a mistake. Dr. Bernard came forth once more and announced that the Shah had lymphatic leukemia, which was considerably more severe. Regardless of the nature of the misdiagnosis, the result was that Drs. Bernard’s and Flandrin’s work was considerably devalued in the eyes of those privy to the information. At this time, this was only HIM, HMQ, Princess Ashraf, Princess Shams, Prime Minister Hoveyda, the doctors themselves, and me.
HIM was mistrustful of either American doctors, whom he considered to be answerable to intelligence agencies, or British ones, as he supposed the British would try to exploit the situation to their favor in one way or another. But Princess Ashraf demanded another opinion. He would travel for testing. Dr. Bernard meekly advised some tests: a biopsy, a CAT scan, marrow testing. It could even be done in Switzerland, he said. She asked whether the tests could be done in Iran, if the equipment could be imported. HIM ruled it, out saying that it was too dangerous to let Iranians deal with such information. It would be far too dangerous to risk such information becoming known. HMQ and his sisters strenuously protested, advising him that such concerns would become moot if HIM were to die.
Princess Ashraf declared that the best way to stave off concerns was to openly address the matter and show that he had nothing to hide. It would be declared that the Shah had an easily treatable form of cancer, that it was normal, that his life was not at risk. With great reluctance HIM finally relented, and proceeded to Switzerland for testing, where it was found that he was sicker than thought. HIM would have to enter intensive treatment. Although cancer treatment facilities were being hastily added on to the Imperial Medical Centre under construction in Tehran, he would still have to travel to Geneva at least every other month. Thus the matter became inherently political, much to my chagrin…[FONT="]
[/FONT]
SAYS IT’S NOT SEVERE AS RULER SEEKS TREATMENT ABROAD
TEHERAN, Iran – Iran’s ruler, Mohammed Riza Pahlevi, has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, spokesmen for the government there announced yesterday. The Shah has been found to have Waldenström's disease, a mild form of lymphoma which is not necessarily life-threatening. While it is incurable, it is slow-spreading, and many patients are able to lead normal lives, and even after treatment may experience years of remission.
“It is not serious at all, really,” said an official at the Iranian embassy in Washington, on the condition of confidentiality, “I am under the impression that this should not really affect his Majesty’s health in any significant way. We are releasing this news in order to make it clear why His Imperial Majesty has been making visits outside the country,” said the official, referring to his recent personal trips to Switzerland and France, which have been crowded in relative secrecy.
It is expected that the Shah will be able to receive treatment within Iran once a new medical university opens in Teheran this fall. The Shah, 56 years old, is said to otherwise be in good health and good spirits while he receives his treatment. In Iran, the news seems to have been received with a degree of concern. “We are praying for him, but I am sure he will be fine,” said Abdollah Buzsiri, a businessman. While the White House could not be reached for comment, several analysts said that the announcement would not affect much.
“It’s unlikely this news will have much effect on Washington’s relations with Teheran,” said Robert Jervis, a professor of political science at UCLA. Pahlevi will still remain in power, and even if not the same forces that currently hold influence will continue to do so.”
The Shah has ruled since 1941, and his reign has seen a number of economic and social reforms, even as critics contend that his rule has become increasingly repressive and undemocratic. Iran is a major ally of the United States in the Middle East and has forged strong ties with other powers as well.
____________________________________________
[FONT="][FONT="][1][/FONT][/FONT][FONT="] A real book, but I for the time being will deviate from the diary format for convenience’s sake. I have tried my best to emulate Alam’s writing style. The diaries are a frank and insightful look at the rise and decay of Pahlavi Iran in the 1970s, and are a highly advised read.[/FONT]
[FONT="][FONT="][2][/FONT][/FONT][FONT="] Alam also had lymphatic leukemia, and in OTL died in April 1978. Interestingly enough, so did Dr. Ayadi. Some people don’t think this was just a coincidence.[/FONT]
The Great Civilisation Is Just Around The Corner
Asadollah Alam, The Shah and I: the Confidential Diary of Iran's Royal Court (1991, Taurus and Co., London) [1]
In April of 1974 I was informed by HIM [His Imperial Majesty, the Shah]’s personal physician, Dr. [Abdulkarim] Ayadi, who took me aside when I had flown to Kish Island for the day, and informed me that we must send for the French hematologist, Dr. Jean Bernard. I asked him why, but he would not tell me anything, only that we must send for him immediately. I was in a state of shock for the rest of the day and in a dreadful state, wondering what sort of disease can show up so suddenly. On the plane I could think of nothing but what would happen to the country if it were shorn of its leader… had the Shah not been on board I truly believe I would have preferred the plane to crash; at least in that way I would have been spared such painful thoughts.
On the next day, April the 10th, I had an audience with HIM and asked after his health, and told him I had had Dr. Bernard’s office called by my doctor, Abbas Safavian[2] called only to find he was away for the whole week. HIM told me that there had been some matters with his spleen; it had become swollen and he was keen to establish that there has been no change with his circulation, which was a great relief to me. The next week Dr. Bernard and an associate, Dr. Georges Flandrin, flew to Mehrabad and was greeted by him. They then met me for lunch and I told them, to their surprise, that I wanted them to see HIM. At the time, I was not privy to the nature of the Shah’s illness, but immediately afterwards it was apparent that something was amiss. Dr. [Abdulkarim] Ayadi, [the Shah’s physician] seemed guarded and reticent, although I was not the one who made light of this at first. Rather, it was Princess Ashraf.
As HIM’s closest confidante and twin sister, Princess Ashraf, upon arriving back in the country from an overseas trip in early May, seemed to immediately tell that something was wrong in the court. She asked me not soon afterwards about HIM’s schedule, if anything unusual or any aberrances had taken place. I was forthright with her and mentioned Dr. Bernard’s visit, amongst a few other events which I now assume to be inconsequential. She immediately went to see Dr. Ayadi and confronted him in regards to what had transpired during Dr. Bernard’s visit. Later I learnt that Dr. Ayadi, had all but refused to tell Princess Ashraf about HIM’s state, but eventually h relented and was told the Shah had been diagnosed with Waldenström's lymphoma, a cancer.
Immediately she went into a rage, telling us afterwards that Dr. Ayadi had planned to hide this from not only the court but HIM himself! She went and called over Dr. Bernard’s associate immediately, who professed ignorance of Ayadi’s duplicity and said that he never advised such deception. Dr. Bernard was called back in and on- May the twentieth, I think it was, HIM was informed of his condition. I too was informed of at this time. He took it rather stoically, but was profoundly disappointed with Dr. Ayadi, who had been a very close companion of his for many years; indeed, I would say he was overtly angry with him, a very rare occurrence. There was no issue of his dismissal.
As I mentioned, Dr. Ayadi had been a close associate of HIM for several years, and had become very wealthy, owning many companies including the mining firms of Sonbol and Shilit. He was special inspector of the Army's health service, the head of high council of medicine, and the president of the Etka organization which was the main purchaser for the army. The medication organization was under his charge. He also enjoyed the monopoly of shrimps granted to him by HIM. An investigation was launched, at Princess Ashraf’s urging, to find corruption, which in his case was inevitable. However it was also found that Ayadi was in the employ of the British intelligence service, which took all of us by surprise. HIM went into a veritable rage at this news, for he has always regarded the British with suspicion. Only his residual affection for the man and the pleas of HMS [Her Majesty the Shahbanou, Empress Farah] prevented his execution, and Dr. Ayadi was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
All the time, there was the matter of HIM’s illness. It turned out the diagnosis of Waldenström's lymphoma was not right. Princess Ashraf was convinced that it was again one of Ayadi’s duplicities, while HMQ was inclined to consider it a mistake. Dr. Bernard came forth once more and announced that the Shah had lymphatic leukemia, which was considerably more severe. Regardless of the nature of the misdiagnosis, the result was that Drs. Bernard’s and Flandrin’s work was considerably devalued in the eyes of those privy to the information. At this time, this was only HIM, HMQ, Princess Ashraf, Princess Shams, Prime Minister Hoveyda, the doctors themselves, and me.
HIM was mistrustful of either American doctors, whom he considered to be answerable to intelligence agencies, or British ones, as he supposed the British would try to exploit the situation to their favor in one way or another. But Princess Ashraf demanded another opinion. He would travel for testing. Dr. Bernard meekly advised some tests: a biopsy, a CAT scan, marrow testing. It could even be done in Switzerland, he said. She asked whether the tests could be done in Iran, if the equipment could be imported. HIM ruled it, out saying that it was too dangerous to let Iranians deal with such information. It would be far too dangerous to risk such information becoming known. HMQ and his sisters strenuously protested, advising him that such concerns would become moot if HIM were to die.
Princess Ashraf declared that the best way to stave off concerns was to openly address the matter and show that he had nothing to hide. It would be declared that the Shah had an easily treatable form of cancer, that it was normal, that his life was not at risk. With great reluctance HIM finally relented, and proceeded to Switzerland for testing, where it was found that he was sicker than thought. HIM would have to enter intensive treatment. Although cancer treatment facilities were being hastily added on to the Imperial Medical Centre under construction in Tehran, he would still have to travel to Geneva at least every other month. Thus the matter became inherently political, much to my chagrin…[FONT="]
[/FONT]
New York Times of July 12, 1974
SHAH HAS CANCER, TEHERAN ANNOUNCES
SAYS IT’S NOT SEVERE AS RULER SEEKS TREATMENT ABROAD
TEHERAN, Iran – Iran’s ruler, Mohammed Riza Pahlevi, has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, spokesmen for the government there announced yesterday. The Shah has been found to have Waldenström's disease, a mild form of lymphoma which is not necessarily life-threatening. While it is incurable, it is slow-spreading, and many patients are able to lead normal lives, and even after treatment may experience years of remission.
“It is not serious at all, really,” said an official at the Iranian embassy in Washington, on the condition of confidentiality, “I am under the impression that this should not really affect his Majesty’s health in any significant way. We are releasing this news in order to make it clear why His Imperial Majesty has been making visits outside the country,” said the official, referring to his recent personal trips to Switzerland and France, which have been crowded in relative secrecy.
It is expected that the Shah will be able to receive treatment within Iran once a new medical university opens in Teheran this fall. The Shah, 56 years old, is said to otherwise be in good health and good spirits while he receives his treatment. In Iran, the news seems to have been received with a degree of concern. “We are praying for him, but I am sure he will be fine,” said Abdollah Buzsiri, a businessman. While the White House could not be reached for comment, several analysts said that the announcement would not affect much.
“It’s unlikely this news will have much effect on Washington’s relations with Teheran,” said Robert Jervis, a professor of political science at UCLA. Pahlevi will still remain in power, and even if not the same forces that currently hold influence will continue to do so.”
The Shah has ruled since 1941, and his reign has seen a number of economic and social reforms, even as critics contend that his rule has become increasingly repressive and undemocratic. Iran is a major ally of the United States in the Middle East and has forged strong ties with other powers as well.
____________________________________________
[FONT="][FONT="][1][/FONT][/FONT][FONT="] A real book, but I for the time being will deviate from the diary format for convenience’s sake. I have tried my best to emulate Alam’s writing style. The diaries are a frank and insightful look at the rise and decay of Pahlavi Iran in the 1970s, and are a highly advised read.[/FONT]
[FONT="][FONT="][2][/FONT][/FONT][FONT="] Alam also had lymphatic leukemia, and in OTL died in April 1978. Interestingly enough, so did Dr. Ayadi. Some people don’t think this was just a coincidence.[/FONT]
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