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agreements dated May 18, 1973, and December 7, 1973, between
Ashland and the Banque de Paris. By these agreements Banque de
Paris was to provide technical advice and assistance in
connection with the joint venture in exchange for a fee.
Although Ashland representatives did not know who the legal
owners of All Patents were, it was understood by Ashland that All
Patents was an affiliate of petitioner. Orin Atkins was the
president of Ashland from 1964 to 1981. Mr. Atkins retained the
services of petitioner in Ashland's efforts to purchase crude oil
from Iran with the expectation that, because of petitioner's
fluency with the language, his familiarity with the country, and
his business success in both Iran and the United States,
petitioner would help to facilitate the arrangement of meetings
with Iranian officials and help to shape Ashland strategy in
Iran. Petitioner was an intermediary who helped Ashland
interpret the Iranian mood in Ashland's strategy development for
these projects. Petitioner also participated in negotiations and
helped to arrange and prepare for meetings with Iranian
officials, including the Shah of Iran. Except for a meeting with
the Shah, Mr. Atkins was accompanied by petitioner at almost all
his meetings with Iranian officials.
The primary contact person in the Iranian Government for
these negotiations on behalf of Ashland was Dr. Fallah, who also
had some involvement in petitioner's business dealings with
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