800.24/311a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iraq (Farrell)
89. In order to eliminate confusion and duplicated effort which have occurred in the past through separate action by American and British authorities in attempting to meet civilian supply requirements of Near East countries, Department has decided upon formal participation in Middle East Supply Centre. There will be military and civilian representation. A member of the legation in Cairo will serve as interim representative for civilian supply until a representative is sent out from here.
These representatives on MESC will insure that United States Government is kept informed of all requests considered essential by local supply committees and by MESC, and whether these requests will be supplied by United Kingdom from Empire sources or by United States from United States resources.
Further to promote coordinated effort and operation in all matters of civilian supply for the Near East, Department proposes to handle requirements of individual countries as far as possible through Anglo-American control established in MESC, where integrated program for Near East area may be effectively prepared.
To this end it is believed important that there be U.S. representation on all local supply committees of the individual countries. Department therefore designates you American representative for civilian supplies on Central Supplies Committee in Baghdad and requests that you associate yourself with your British colleague with a view to early joint action on that Committee.
Department envisages a small action committee consisting of yourself, British Minister and an official of Iraqi Government. This committee should be readily accessible to all interested officials and representatives concerned with supplies and their procurement. Function of committee is to correlate Iraqi requirements in order of essentiality and urgency and to forward the resulting lists, with its recommendations, to MESC.
This reference to MESC in no way impairs your right to communicate with Department on all such matters.
Our Minister in Tehran has been instructed to participate in operations of Supplies Committee in process of organization there and our Embassy in Ankara has been instructed to participate in existing local Coordinating Committee there.
Advise when you assume your duties on Supplies Committee and raise any questions needing clarification.