187. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs (Wilkins) to Francis H. Russell 1
SUBJECT
- Secretary’s Discussion regarding Proposed Letter to Sir Roger Makins with respect to Centurion Tanks for Iraq
This afternoon Assistant Secretary Allen discussed with the Secretary the redraft of a proposed letter to Sir Roger Makins with respect to Centurion tanks for Iraq (Tab A2). Mr.Allen pointed out that this redraft incorporated the Secretary’s two suggestions: (1) that phraseology be inserted which would insure that the British would not be in a position to take entire credit in the matter; (2) that American action in supplying ten Centurion tanks on a grant basis which had been obtained by offshore procurement was contingent on British support for the Alpha statement. Mr.Allen also noted that he had with him a proposed telegram to the American Embassy in Baghdad inquiring whether in fact the Iraqis wanted Centurion tanks or would possibly prefer American tanks.3
During the course of the ensuing discussion the following points were touched-on by the Secretary:
- 1.
- The Secretary speculated on the Congressional reaction to the possibility of American adherence to the Turko-Iraqi Pact. The Secretary mentioned in passing that he did not like open-ended [Page 346] pacts but preferred those with a definite time limit which might be extended as necessary.
- 2.
- The Secretary was inclined to believe that the British would take entire credit for the provision of Centurion tanks for Iraq in spite of the fact that the letter provided that no intimation be given to the Iraqis by either the British or ourselves before the United States made its formal approach.
- 3.
- The Secretary raised the question of the United States selling the ten Centurions to the Iraqis which had been obtained from Britain by offshore procurement. He wondered whether this were possible and checked with Mr. Nolting, who stated that it had been done in one or two isolated cases but was not generally the practice. The Secretary wondered whether it should not be stated in the proposed draft letter to Sir Roger Makins that the Centurion tanks would be supplied by the United States to Iraq on a grant basis in the United States program.
- 4.
- The Secretary wondered whether the Iraqis wanted British tanks or would prefer American tanks. The proposed telegram was discussed and wording was added cautioning the American Ambassador regarding any queries he might put to the Iraqis regarding tanks.
Mr.Russell observed that any discussion with Nuri concerning the supply of Centurions to Iraq would probably leak and would prove an unfortunate backdrop for the Alpha statement. It would appear that the United States had abandoned its objective position, giving tanks to Iraq unconditionally but making the security treaty for Israel conditional on cooperation in Alpha. The Secretary said it might be better, if we decided to have the British tell Nuri that they were informed the prospects were good and withhold any U.S. statement until later.
The Secretary concluded that he felt that it would be sufficient for the moment to send the telegram to the American Embassy in Baghdad. Following the reply as to whether the Iraqis wanted Centurion tanks, further consideration could be given to the proposed letter to Sir Roger Makins.4 He supposed that it could be held up another day or two.
- Source: Department of State,NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Alpha–beginning July 1955: U.S. Adherence to Turko-Iraqi Pact; also Tanks for Iraq. Top Secret; Alpha.↩
- Drafted by Burdett on August 10; not attached to the source text but filedibid.Allen’s initial draft, which he sent to Dulles with a covering memorandum of August 8, isibid., Alpha—Memos and corres., July l–Aug. 26 (day of Secy’s speech).↩
- Not attached to the source text. Telegram 93 to Baghdad, August 10, informed Ambassador Gallman of the conversations with the British and requested information as to Iraqi preferences. (Ibid., Central Files, 787.5–MSP/8–1055)↩
- See Document 191.↩