740.0011 BW 1939/26911: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Iraq ( Wilson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 3—11:42 a.m.]
1. Reference paragraph 1 Department’s 254, December 81. The Minister of Foreign Affairs15 said as much to me on December 17. Reference my despatch No. 126, December 23,16 which enclosed memorandum of conversation with him on this and unrelated subjects. From British Embassy sources I learned in November that in conversation held with Nuri Pasha17 the latter expressed the opinion that [Page 641] “once Iraq had joined the pact the United States would automatically become an ally which would enable their forces in this country to enjoy without further ado all privileges, immunities, et cetera, to which British forces are entitled under the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of Alliance.” I myself have been skeptical but willing of course to accept this reasoning without too much question if Iraqi Government saw that way.
Nuri returned from Egypt this afternoon. Will report on other matters mentioned in Department’s telegram soon but I am a little inclined at present to await developments of next few days before approaching Government again either formally or informally.