Coll 17/10(4) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎89r] (177/1031)

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States from the field of European politics and their refusal to support the ideals
which they had themselves promulgated and undertaken to ensure.
This negative attitude of the American Government gave a free hand to the
other victorious States, who were bound to one another with pledges from which
it was not easy for them to be released. This led to certain difficulties and serious
consequences in which, unfortunately, some of the Arab countries had a share.
The return of the United States to the policy of participation in world
^^Jpolitics will help to remove many of the difficulties that may arise from previous
international pledges—especially any secret ones—and will ensure international
justice according to the provisions of the Atlantic Charter. It is most unlikely
that the Government of the United States will abstain from associating itself with
general international affairs at the end of the present war, for they have already
witnessed with their own eyes the misfortunes and calamities which befell the
world as a result of their withdrawal from participation in world affairs after
the last war, as well as the horrors and sufferings of the present struggle, which
surpass anything that occurred in any previous war.
6. After the aggravation of the Axis aggression and the entry of the United
States into the war, delegates from twenty-six States, representing the inhabitants
of more than two-thirds of the whole civilised world, met in Washington and
published the Declaration of the United Nations which confirms the principles
embodied in the Atlantic Charter and which aims at defeating the policy ol
aggression. In this declaration they have left the door open for all the nations
who may or will help or contribute materially in the common struggle to adhere
to it.
7. It is evident that it is in the vital interest of Iraq (being a State bound
by the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of Alliance, as well as by the Covenant of the League
of Nations, and being intent upon carrying out her international obligations with
all candour and sincerity) to support any policy which tends to ensure the freedom
of peoples and resist aggression, especially when it is realised that in the fore
front of the States which back this policy stands the country which has already
proved by her action her friendly attitude to Iraq and shown that her interests
do accord with Iraq’s independence. On the other hand, the object of the states
who have adopted the policy of aggression has always been to obliterate the
political existence of Iraq and encourage every movement started by Iraq’s
enemies in and out of this country.
It was the duty of Iraq to stand by the side of her Ally, Great Britain, and
her Allies ever since the declaration of this war. But she was unable to do so
owing to her being engaged in combating Axis intrigues.
The most obvious evidence which proves the wicked intentions of those
Powers towards Iraq is what they have done, and are still doing, in spreading
false rumours and m intriguing against this country, and in continuing their
attacks directed by their broadcasting stations against the noble House of Hashim
and abusing every person who may be legitimately in power in Iraq. By all this
they hoped to persuade Iraq to disavow her legal pledges as stipulated in the
Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of Alliance. This is so while the Axis Powers themselves
have only recognised our existence and independence through and as a result of
this treaty of alliance with Great Britain.
The wicked intentions of the Axis were most evident during the notorious
rebellion of May 1941, which they not only organised and provided the necessary
funds for, but also actively supported. Moreover, the Axis Powers endeavoured
to provide arms and funds to the leaders of that rebellion in ordei to maintain
it and aggravate its damaging results, which severely injured our country and
imperilled its very existence. „ . . ^ .
The Axis officials proved the real interest of their Governments in the anaiis
of Iraq upon their arrival in this country in the course of that notorious rebellion.
The first thing they did was to loot at once whatever Iraqi products they could
lay their hands on and send large quantities of these to their countries
'j'tm Axis Powers were not content with the loss and damage they had done
to life and property. They are now harbouring a numbei of the leadei s of that
rebellion and their followers who escaped from justice, and are forcing them to
engage in propaganda against their country in order to obtain the means of
SU-fosi
All these activities are positively hostile in character. Every evidence
indicates that such acts are only a cloak covering preparations for armed hostile
action which the Axis will not hesitate to direct against Iraq whenever an
opportunity arises. What the Axis have done to Iraq they also did, and are still
doing, to all the other Arab countries whom they aim at enslaving, as
everybody knows.