'File 11/44 Leading Personalities in Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia' [‎21v] (42/96)

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In September he again visited 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 and
Egypt. He paid a second brief visit to 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
in lebruary 1945.
In the spring of 1945 he was much discouraged by
Mr. Churchill’s failure to invite him to join King
Ibn Saud and others for talks in Cairo. This led to
a threat of abdication.
In May 1945 he left on an official visit to the
United States, returning via Canada and Britain.
In London he was twice received by the King, met
the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet and
attended the Victory Thanksgiving Service. He also
visited the occupied area of Germany. He returned
via France and Italy, whence he proceeded on an
official visit to the President of the Turkish Republic
before returning to Iraq in September. While in the
United States he displayed irresponsible extrava
gance, spending over $200,000 on jewellery. He has
also invested heavily, at the cost of grave indebted
ness, in speculative industrial enterprises in Bagdad.
All this is generally known and has markedly
decreased his prestige, and may give rise to serious
political complications.
In 1946 the Regent again visited London and was
present at the Victory Celebrations on 8th June. He
returned to Iraq at the end of July. He greatly
enjoyed his visit and there is no doubt that he finds
English life and methods increasingly congenial.
This has its disadvantages from the Iraqi point of
view.
He was widely accused of capricious interference
in the elections of 1947 and is consequently un
popular in Reformist and Leftist circles. He main
tains, however, his interest in and influence over the
army, particularly the younger officers, a number of
whom were sent to England during the summer of
1946.
There is no doubt that this step produced excellent
results in that all the officers came back with pro
nounced pro-English views.
The Regent was created G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade). in 1942 and
G.C.V.O., with the award of the Royal Victorian
Chain, in 1943.
3. Zaid, His Royal Highness the Amir.
Born in Constantinople in 1900. Youngest son of
the late King Hussein of the Hejaz. Half-brother
of King Ali, King Feisal and the Amir Abdullah (of
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 ). His mother was a Turk. Educated in
Constantinople. Fought with the Arab Nationalist
forces during the Great War, and won the good
opinion of the British officers with the Sharifian
army. Made a G.B.E. for his services in the war of
1914-18.
Came to live in Iraq in 1922, and was commis
sioned in the Iraqi cavalry. Acted as Regent for a
short time in 1924 during King Feisal’s absence.
In 1925 he went to England and studied agricul
ture at Oxford for nearly three years. During this
period he took an active part in the social life of the
university and rowed in the torpids for Balliol. In
1928 he joined his father in Cyprus and remained
there until King Hussein’s death in 1931. Appointed
Iraqi Minister at Angora in January 1932.
In 1933 it became known that one of his sisters
had contracted a clandestine marriage with Atta Beg
Amin, some time first secretary at the Iraqi Legation
at Angora (and later at the Legation in London).
The Royal Family were indignant, and Zaid was
transferred to Cairo in January 1934 as the first
Iraqi Minister at King Fuad’s Court. He did not,
however, proceed to this post, which he ultimately
refused to accept. At the end of 1934 he was busy
in Athens engaged in litigation concerning extensive
properties which he claims to have inherited in
Greece. Appointed Iraqi Minister at Berlin in
September 1935. In the spring of 1937 it was
suspected that he had been using his position as
Iraqi Minister to give false certificates for arms
destined for Spain. He was recalled to Iraq for
enquiries, but apparently established his innocence
and returned to Berlin.
He is a pleasant, well-mannered man. A shrewd
and somewhat cynical observer. He likes his easy •
private life in Istanbul and is reluctant to assume
official responsibilities. He speaks excellent English
and Turkish.
In 1933 he married a Turkish lady who had been
divorced by her husband. She is agreeable and
flamboyant with artistic pretensions. She is never
seen in Iraq. This mesalliance mattered little so
long as he was not living in Iraq, but when he
was withdrawn from Berlin in the spring of 1938
and came to live in Bagdad it was counted against
him locally. But for his wife he would probably
have been made Regent after the death of King
Ghazi in April 1939. In the summer of 1939 he
went to live in Istanbul.
Came to Bagdad in October 1941 to meet his
brother the Amir Abdullah on the occasion of his
State visit to the capital and remained for some time
living quietly in a small house.
He returned to Turkey in June 1942. Accom
panied by his wife, he came to Bagdad in November
1943 to act as Regent while the Amir Abdul Illah
was in England, and remained until May 1944, when
he went back to Turkey.
He returned to Iraq in 1945 to act as Reg^it^
during the Amir Abdullah’s absence in America aSP®*
Europe.
In 1946 he acted in a similar capacity. When, in
1946, agreement was reached that the Iraqi Mission
in London should be raised to the status of an
embassy, he was nominated as the first Iraqi
Ambassador.
4. Hussein Nasir
Cousin of the King and Regent with the style of
“ Highness.”
For a time held an appointment at the Palace.
In 1945 married a daughter of the Amir Abdullah of
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 . In 1946 appointed Iraqi Consul in
Jerusalem. A good-humoured, genial person with
out pronounced personality.
Other Personalities
1. Abbas-i-Mahmud Agha.
Chieftain of the Pizhder tribe (Kurdish) (sea
Babekr Agha). Generally on the side of disordBB^
when trouble is brewing. Maintains a tradition of Jk
being at feud with Babekr Agha, but both take care *
that this enmity shall not weaken the strength of
the tribe.
2. Abbas Mahdi.
Shiah. Born 1898. Secretary to Iraqi Legation
in Tehran 1931. Minister for Education, Novem
ber 1932. Resigned with Cabinet in March 1933.
Appointed Director-General of Tapu in October
1933.
Became Minister for Economics and Communica
tions in February 1934, but resigned with Jamil-al-
Madfai s Cabinet in August 1934. Reappointed
Director-General of Tapu, December 1934.
Appointed Master of Ceremonies in the Palace,
March 1937. Joined Hikmat Sulaiman’s Cabinet
in June 1937 as Minister for Economics and Com
munications, and was appointed Minister for Justice
in the Cabinet formed by Jamil-al-Madfai in
August 193/ after Hikmat Sulaiman’s resignation.
Transferred to the Ministry of Economics and
Communications in October 1938, and resigned with
whole Cabinet in December 1938.
Appointed Principal Private Secretary at the
Royal Palace in July 1941.
Appointed Minister at Tehran in January 1943.
Pleasant but without personality. Returned to Iraq
in June 1945 and appointed first Iraqi Minister in
Moscow.