711.90G/48

The Acting Iraqi Minister for Foreign Affairs ( El Hashimi ) to the American Minister Resident in Iraq ( Knabenshue )6

No. 1596

Excellency: I have the honour to inform you that the draft treaty of general relations enclosed in your letter No. 43 dated July 25, 1933, which you were kind enough to send to this Ministry, has been under very careful consideration.

This Ministry, in spite of its desire to expedite a reply, was unable to avoid the long delay which has occurred, owing to the variety of subjects dealt with in the draft.

These subjects concern different departments of the Iraq Government which it has been necessary to consult in order to obtain their views. Moreover certain provisions of the draft affecting as they do the domestic laws of this country required close examination by legal experts.

Although some provisions are still under consideration particularly from the point of view of the developing policy of the Iraqi Government, this Ministry holds the view, following upon oral discussions last week, that the most convenient mode of proceeding would be to divide the subject-matter of the draft into several categories. This would conduce to an earlier conclusion of this matter.

This Ministry would be glad to learn your Government’s views about the division of the draft into several categories.

I avail myself [etc.]

Y. El Hashimi
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister Resident in his despatch No. 591, February 20; received March 19.