Office of the Historian

217. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, April 16, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • Report on the Richards Mission—Iraq, April 6–82

While Ambassador Richards was in Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri stated to him that the three main threats to Middle East stability were: the Arab-Israeli problem, especially the territorial aspects, and the manner in which the Russians are using the Arab fear of Zionism as a weapon against the West; the Soviet use of Nasser and his policies to penetrate the Middle East, particularly Egypt, Syria and Jordan; and the concentration of Soviet efforts in Syria after their failure in Iraq.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the aid to Iraq, proposed by the Richards Mission, but stressed Iraq’s need for aircraft and airfields to hold off a Soviet attack. He pointed out that 70 percent of Iraq’s oil revenues are going for development and that 60 percent of the budget is earmarked for defense. In these circumstances Iraq needed assistance with regard to the aviation equipment and air defense facilities it required.

The Prime Minister advised Ambassador Richards not to “reward blackmailers”. He thought that the Mission might visit Syria and Jordan, but only to discuss its objectives—not to extend aid.

Ambassador Richards made the following commitments for aid to Iraq:

1.
Police equipment and training, grant—$1,000,000
2.
Telecommunications equipment for Iraq section of regional system, grant—$1,150,000
3.
Consultant engineer contract for Baghdad–Basra railway, grant—$350,000
4.
Military assistance previously arranged, $6,676,000 confirmed as being on grant basis
5.
Additional military assistance for tanks, guns and other equipment, grant—$7,408,000

Ambassador Richards found that the Iraq Government was following progressive policies and using its oil revenues effectively, but that the decline in revenue from oil resulting from the decreased [Page 494] capacity of the IPC pipeline is a serious problem. He commented that the Iraqis, although disappointed in the quantity of aid offered and stressing their need for help in the aviation field, were reasonably satisfied in the circumstances.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/5–1057. Secret. Drafted by Bliss. Also addressed to the Under Secretary of State.↩
  2. Regarding the Richards Mission visit to Iraq, see Documents 454–456.↩