ROYAL PALACE: SHAH WITH MR SCRANTON: AIRPORT AND SCRANTON TALKS WITH PRESS: SCRANTON BOARDS AIRCRAFT.




Initials LH/VS/MR/SS



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Background: MR. WILLIAM SCRANTON, THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT-ELECT RICHARD NIXON'S SPECIAL ENVOY IS TODAY (FRIDAY) IN BEIRUT AFTER TALKS WITH THE SHAH OF IRAN IN TEHERAN. THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA IS CONTINUING HIS FACT-FINDING MISSION TO SIX MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES.

THE SHAN RECEIVED MR. SCRANTON IN AUDIENCE FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS. LATER, MR. SCRANTON TOLD AN AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE THAT HIS DISCUSSION HAD BEEN "ENJOYABLE, FRANK AND USEFUL". IT HAD COVERED MANY WORLD PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE MIDDLE EAST SITUATION AND DEFENCE OF THE PERSIAN GULF.

IRANO-AMERICAN RELATIONS AND IRAN'S RECENTLY EXPANDED TRADE AND ECONOMIC TIES WITH THE EASTERN BLOC WERE ALSO REVIEWED WITH IRAN'S MILITARY REQUIREMENTS AND HER ARMS PURCHASES.

MR. SCRANTON WILL RETURN TO NEW YORK ON DECEMBER 11 AFTER VISITS TO EGYPT, SAUDI ARABIA, JORDAN AND ISRAEL ENDING HIS NINE-DAY TOUR.