Coll 17/10(4) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎66v] (132/1031)

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has grown more and more difficult for the rattletrap administrative machine to
negotiate, and it is now painfully clear, even to local politicians, that it has neither
the power nor the gearing to continue much farther without an effective
readjustment of its Cabinet load and without extraneous help in the persons of
skilled mechanics. It is unfortunate that in the twelve months that have elapsed
since October 1942 the supply of the latter has been sharply reduced by other
demands, and Iraqi Ministers, who are now reconciled to the enlistment of
British executives, find them hard to get. Such, in general terms, is the position
to-day. Until the end of July, by which date we had completed the arduous and
wearisome barley negotiations, the politico-economic health of the country had
deteriorated steadily, but not too rapidly. The sweltering heat of midsummer
ushered in, however, a period of slackness and confusion which has increased the
downward pace. There have been squabbles in the Cabinet, and recently some
snarling between the Regent and his Ministers. Nuri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. has been unwell and
valuable time has been wasted during his two absences. The elections—'if. indeed,
the selection of parliamentarians in this country can be so euphemistically
described—were a further disturbing factor. And, finally, there was a good
deal of pother over the arrangements for the Regent’s visit to the United
Kingdom. For all these and some other reasons, I have found it hard since my
return from leave in September to pin any member of the Government down to
harsh realities. It was only when the Regent was safely on his way that on the
30th October I at last managed to corner the Prime Minister for an interview
that, I believe, attained an all-time high in its duration, for we conversed together
without a break for four hours and twenty minutes.
4. I did not mince words. By his persistent preoccupation over his dreams
of “ haute politique,” by his dislike of detail, and by his perhaps natural
reluctance to offend powerful agricultural and mercantile vested interests, as
well as by his tendency 'to let thorny domestic questions slide in the hope that
something may turn up to solve them without any special or unpopular effort on
his part, Nuri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. cannot escape blame for the existing state of affairs. I
attacked his Excellency for the endless failure of his Governments to tackle the
economic problem honestly and boldly, for the manner in which they have
tolerated dishonesty and inefficiency in the public services, for the resultant
weakness and corruption in the police, the unreliability of the army, the
mishandling of the Kurds, the shameless land-grabbing carried on by prominent
personalities, the general lack of courageous leadership and the wide gulf between
the Government and the people. I complained, too, of the harmful effects of
widespread nepotism and about the low moral tone of public life. I emphasised
that now was the time to improve the Administration and to carry out much-
needed reforms and modernisation. And I expressed my fear that, if everything
were allowed to drift on as at present, the eventual departure of the British forces
would inevitably give rise to grave internal dangers. In this connexion I
reminded the Prime Minister that there had been a radical change in the attitude
of the people during the last twenty years. They were no longer as long-suffering
as of yore. In the towns especially, education had brought about a new outlook,
and I warned his Excellency that, unless account were taken of these facts, the
old order might be very rudely disturbed at no very distant date. I urged that
the time had come to act. He should have done with corrupt Ministers such as
Jelal Baban. I could also, if pressed, name other politicians of like kidney. Steps
to strengthen and cleanse the Administration should be put in hand without
delay.
5. Nuri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. did not contest one of my statements. He confessed that the
general deterioration in the politico-economic situation had been worrying him
greatly. He was determined to do all in his power to halt the decline. To begin
with, he would like to appoint a Deputy Prime Minister, and he had Ibrahim
Kemal in mind as a candidate (the latter has since been sounded informally and
has refused). He would act energetically to show speculators and profiteers that
their field day was almost over, and. indeed, the Higher Supplies Committee had
already taken certain decisions to that end. Moreover, I could rest assured that
Colonel Bayliss—whose services have lately been secured from the Middle East
Supply Centre and who will, I trust, in due course be appointed DUector-General,
Imports—would receive full support in his work. As regards the civil service,
a draft law was in preparation to set up special courts for dealing with officials
accused of malpractices, while at the same time he contemplated improving
salaries (especially those of the police) and other conditions of service for public
servants paid less than I.D. 20 per month. (In the case of the police, he has
already made good his word.) I suggested that the administration of the