well-defined or characteristic policy of this Government toward Iraq
is the existence of the powerful British influence in that country.
  As Arab nationalism grows, Iraq promises eventually to assume a
key position in the Arab world. It will be increasingly necessary for
us to maintain closer relations with Iraq, since our standing in the
entire area, will to a considerable degree be dependent on the attitude
of Iraq toward the United States. The chief issues arising between
the two countries will thus be in the political sphere and will turn
upon Iraq's growing leadership among the Arab countries. There
is also the question of Palestine,2 in which Iraq has shown a great
interest and an evident desire to be in the vanguard of the Arab oppo-
sition to the Zionists. The Iraqi fear lest the Government of the
United States support the establishment of a Jewish commonwealth
in Palestine handicaps our efforts to develop friendly and close
relations.

701.90G41/9-2646: Telegram
    The Acting Secretary of State to the Charge in Iraq (Moose)

RESTRICTED               WASHINGTON, September 26, 1946-7 p. m.
  370. Brit Embassy has informed Dept 3 an exchange notes between
Brit and Iraqi Govts has been completed 4 providing for appointment
Iraqi Ambassador to London and waiving perpetual precedence Brit
Ambassador Baghdad. Notes will be published Sept 27.
                                                           CLAYTON

123 Pinkerton, Lowell C.: Telegram
        The Secretary of State to the Charge in Iraq (Moose)

SECREr                    WASHINGTON, October 19, 1946-2 p. m.
  399. For Moose. [Here follows instruction to seek the agrement
of the Iraqi Government to the appointment of George Wadsworth as
United States Minister to Iraq.]
  In this connection and re Deptel 370 Sept 26 you should draw at-
tention Iraq Govt our recent exchange of Ambassadors with Egypt 5
and state that we would be prepared to exchange Ambassadors with
Iraq in case Iraq should desire elevation its Legation at Washington
to Embassy in accord with growing international importance Iraq and

  ' For documentation on this subject, see pp. 576 ff.
  3 In note of September 26, not printed.
  4 The exchange of notes took place at Baghdad on August 2, 1946; for text,
see British Cmd. 6918, Iraq No. 3 (1946). Airgram A-157, May 13, 1946, from
Baghdad, informed the Department that by the end of April 1946, the British
had removed from Iraq all their Political Advisers "(not to be confused
with
British Advisers to Ministries of Iraqi Government) ", a few remaining
in
civilian capacities (741.90G/5-1346).
  For documentation on this subject, see pp. 78 ff.
     219-490-69--37



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