800.24/335: Telegram
The Chargé in Iraq (Farrell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 17—9:24 p.m.]
120. Department’s 89, May 6, 10 p.m. Legation has participated in various informal meetings of the existing Central Supplies Committee. In view of peculiar local situation described in my despatch no. 1913 of May 13,7… the type of committee envisaged by Department is not applicable here. British Foreign Office telegram to its Embassy Baghdad of June 4 is summarized as follows per numbered paragraphs omitting number 1: (2) Lend-lease supplies for Iraq will be sold against cash to avoid inflation; (3) civil requirements will be referred by normal procedure to Middle East Supply Center; (4) Iraqi military requirements are subject to approval by British military and referred to London; (5) port and railway supplies are under discussion but will be subject to British military approval and to application through administration’s Crown agents in London as in past; (6) it would be unfortunate if Iraq Government through its Legation in Washington should press lendlease question; (7) expresses hope that this Legation will cooperate in making clear to Iraq that latter will not be able to obtain unessential supplies.
In the absence of instructions from Department it is difficult to determine what role the Legation should play in the question of lend-lease to Iraq. The Iraqi Foreign Office by urgent note dated June 14, requests Legation to inform it how Iraq can benefit from the Lend-Lease Act.8 British Foreign Office telegram summarized in foregoing is first intimation received by Legation that Iraq must pay cash. To avoid possible embarrassment I request specific instructions for appropriate reply to Iraqi Foreign Office.