740.0011 BW1939/26512: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Iraq ( Wilson )
254. Tour 290, December 14. Please inform Department of basis for your understanding that American forces in Iraq will enjoy immunity from local jurisdiction in the event that Iraq becomes a belligerent.
In the meantime please informally suggest to Iraqi authorities that this Government desires exclusive jurisdiction in criminal matters over members of its armed forces in Iraq and that it considers that it has a right to such jurisdiction under international law but that if the Iraqi Government feels that the matter should be the subject of agreement between the two countries, this Government will be glad to propose an informal exchange of notes containing such an agreement.