Coll 17/16(1) 'Iraq. The Assyrian Crisis' [‎84v] (179/1036)

is however, nothing to compel the Government to settle them in one single
locality. The Government share with the honourable Deputy the feeling
that this countrv is the home of his forefathers and that its soil is mixed up
with their blood. Neither conscience nor law allows us to expel any member
of the natives of this country from his property which is undei his possession
or to rob him of his right to exercise possession thereof, m order to make L
over to another party. This is what I am aide to say on the subject, having
regard to my present situation.
In reply to the above, Deputy Sa id Chalabi, the questioner, made a lengthy
statement, which may be summarised as follows
He denied the Tiaris the right to call themselves or to be called Assyrians,
asserting that they were given this appellation by the English during the
occupation for certain imperialistic purposes. Except for a small section, they
were alien to Iraq, having come into it from Persia, Turkey and Russia, under
encouragement from the imperialistic authorities.
Proceeding, he accused the Assyrians of having been a danger to public peace
and to the inhabitants of Iraq, recalling, in support of his contention, the two
bloody incidents of Mosul and Kirkuk between the Assyrians and the Arab
natives of these towns. He said :
‘ ‘ Why have the Government not considered the question of disarming
this element ? I know the source from which they obtained their arms during
the mandatory regime. That regime has passed away, and I request the
Government to disarm them [i.e. ; the Assyrians], or else allow neighbouring
villages to arm themselves.”
Turning to the question proper of the settlement of the Assyrians, he said
“ The Tiari comedy is a wonderful one. We know the aim behind their
settlement in the north. We have allotted for this purpose an extensive
stretch of land. They are now being settled by a British expert, and the
Government intends allotting a sum of 13,000 I.D. for the construction of
quarters for these ungrateful ones, who do not acknowledge the kindness
they have been shown by this country. I suspect that it is intended by the
Assyrian question to create (for Iraq) a problem similar to the Zionist
problem in Palestine. It appears as if the Government have struck the
Barzanis only in order to settle the Assyrians in their place. We do not
agree to their being settled in one single locality en bloc. We cannot trust
them, because they are non-Moslems, and foreign hands are always toying
with them.”
The British Vice-Consulate, Diana.
Turning to this affair (which formed subject of that part of his question to
which the Prime Minister deferred the reply to a future occasion), Sa’id
Chalabi said :—
£ £ As regards the question of the British consulate, Diana. What
interests does that institution possess there ? What are those officers doing
in the villages and towns ? Their doings are well known. We had thought
that the mandatory era had come to an end. Iraq was the home of our
forefathers. We do not agree that it should be dealt with in this manner.
(Applause.) Our ally has certain interests and benefits, which we shall
safeguard as long as our own rights are respected. I want her to be plain
as to what she wants from us, and not to resort to such harmful methods.’’
In reply to the above remark the Prime Minister said :—
I he honourable Deputy refers to intrigues being carried out in the
country by £ officers ’ [sic]. I beg the honourable Deputy to allow me to say
that I am not aware of any such intrigues going on. If, however, any such
intrigues actually exist they must be suppressed, and they should come to an
end together with the defunct regime. But this does not depend entirely
upon the Government exercising watchfulness and taking action, but also on
members of the public showing interest and knowing their national
obligations.”