Coll 17/10(4) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎258r] (515/1031)

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to be inactive at present, but they represent a potentially hostile element, and I
snail continue to make strong representations to the Prime Minister for their
removal. 1 am also pressing for action against a number of undesirable
teachers and officials who still remain undisturbed in the Ministry of Education
* ini its various schools. It is impossible to deal with all those persons who showed
fostmty when Nazi influence was in the ascendant, but in spite of the fact that
too many remain untouched, there is no doubt that the general political
atmosphere in the country has greatly improved. Co-operation between the 1
Jontisn and Iraqi forces is excellent, and social intercourse is encouraged by the *
igher command on each side. A joint Anglo-Iraqi survey of certain features
of the desert area south of the Euphrates, between Jalal Tanf and Ramadi. is
now being carried out, and the Mosul Municipality have given their new town
hall for use as a service club for British troops.
14. 1 he 1 rime Minister has been thinking a good deal lately about Iraq’s
position m the war. From the beginning he has had faith in an Allied victorv,
and has seen clearly that Iraq could expect few positive benefits from such a
victory unless she played, in some measure, an active part in the fight against
nazism. While those who believed in a Nazi victory favoured reinsurance with
the Keich, Nun Said has always inclined towards the building up of a substantial
credit account with the Allies, on which Iraq could cash in when the time came for
peace settlements, i his was the basis of his early schemes for a token Iraqi
xoice m the western desert, and though political and military opposition to such
a project was too strong for him, he has never given up the hope of finding some
wa\ of improving Iraq’s position at the peace conference bv finding a part for
her to play in the war. He quickly appreciated the importance for the Arab
counti les (especially Iraq, Syria and Palestine) of the Atlantic Charter, and more
recently he has seen the opportunity which is offered by the twenty-six Power
anti-Axis pact concluded at Washington at the beginning of the year. He has
accordingly been sounding his colleagues and some of the senior politicians now
out of office, with a view to obtaining their agreement to Iraq’s adherence to this
pact and the concurrent declaration of a state of war between Iraq and Italy and
Germany. He no doubt feels that Iraq’s ultimate claims to the rioffits and
privileges recognised by the Atlantic Charter will thereby be strengthened. He
may also hope that if Iraq signs the pact the United States mav extend the
Lease-Lend Act to her. He would like Saudi Arabia to take the same step at the
same time, but he is awaiting the advice of His Majesty’s Government before
making any proposals to King Ibn Saud.
15. Iraq s position vis-a-vis Syria has also been under consideration, and.
as you already know, the Prime Minister informed me about the middle of
January that the Iraqi Government would be willing to recognise the Syrian and
Lebanese Governments if the Free French authorities announced that the present
arrangements are only temporary and that at the end of the war the Syrian and
Lebanese will be free to choose what form of government shall be set up in their
respective countries.
16. The French Minister, his family and the legation staff left Iraq at the
end of December. The remainder of the Japanese Legation staff remained
pending a decision as to the route to be chosen for their repatriation and arrange
ments for the release of British diplomatists in Japanese hands. All Japanese
property in Iraq was brought under official control soon after the Japanese
declaration of war on the United States.
17. The Iraqi Government have under consideration a draft Treaty of
Friendship with China. The Prime Minister informs me that this does not
involve an exchange of diplomatic missions.
18. I am sending copies of this despatch to His Majesty’s representatives
at Angora, Cairo, Tehran, Jedda, the Minister of State, Cairo; His Majesty’s
High Commissioner for Jerusalem and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan ; the Governor-General of
India; the Commander-in-chief, India; General Headquarters, Middle Fast; the
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Koweit ; and to His
Majesty’s Consuls at Basra and Mosul and to the Combined Middle Fast
Intelligence Centre.
I have, &c.
KINAHAN CORNWALLIS.