867N.01/11–144: Telegram
The Minister in Iraq (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 4—2:23 p.m.]
238. Most Iraqis interested in international affairs, while cognizant of certain Zionist sympathies in the United States, have never really been convinced that the United States intended actively to espouse the Zionist cause. Recent information coming in from abroad by radio, press and word of mouth however is causing them for the first time to believe that the United States may have the intention to intervene in Palestine on behalf of the Zionists. As this belief is deepening their first reaction appears to be one of bewilderment accompanied by bitter disappointment and a feeling of betrayal; their second, growing resentment.
Their bewilderment arises from the fact that for many years most of the better educated and more progressive Iraqis have been accustomed to regard the United States as the one great power which could be trusted to strive for a fair solution of international problems. They fail to find principles in international justice or any factors connected with the preservation of world peace which would justify American support of Zionist demands. They find it difficult to reconcile themselves to the belief that the United States merely for the sake of internal political expediency is favoring a course in Palestine which in their opinion not only would be unjust, but would inevitably lead to bloodshed and to misery for all concerned. They can perceive no reason for the recent pronouncements and promises of American Government and political leaders who should have a complete understanding of the Palestine situation other than a desire to obtain the support of the American Zionists. They are asking whether it is possible that American foreign policy in the future is to be shaped in such a manner as to meet the demands of private pressure groups possessed of ample funds and exercising extensive control over American channels of information. Their disappointment arises not merely from their conviction that the [a?] victory for Zionist [Zionism?] would mean a death blow to their hopes for Arab unity but because they feel that the United States, the most idealistic of all the great powers, commits itself to following a policy in the case of Palestine which they find so inconsistent with the terms of the Atlantic Charter and other noble pronouncements of the United Nations; the general outlook in the postwar world for the Arabs is sure to be bleak. Those Iraqis possessed of Western education who have been hoping that Arab [Page 629] civilization will look westward for its inspiration are particularly concerned. They feel that a loss of confidence by the Iraqi Arabs in the fairness and good intentions of the United States would effectively nullify the efforts of the advocates of a Western democratic civilization for Iraq, would strengthen the forces of autocracy and reaction, and would eventually throw Iraq if not also some of the other Arab countries into the arms of the Soviet Union which would at once extirpate all elements favoring the adoption by Iraq of the Western democratic way of life. Those groups which believe merger with the Soviet Union is the most desirable solution of all problems are making strenuous efforts to complete the disillusionment of those who are still inclined to look to the West for inspiration and guidance.
- 3.
- The swelling resentment has not as yet made itself manifest partly because there is still some hope that what appears to be a unanimous sentiment for Zionism in the United States will not transfer itself into concrete measures and partly because the Government has blocked the channels through which increasing Arab anger can readily be expressed. If the United States does take steps to implement the Zionist program the feeling in Iraq is likely to be more intense than in most Arab countries. The desire for Arab unity here is especially deep in part because it is closely linked with a desire for closer tie-up with the West—most politically conscious Iraqis desire their country to face the Mediterranean and beyond instead of the Persian Gulf, India and the Far East—in part because the fires of Arab nationalism have burned with particular brightness in Iraq ever since the days of Arab rebellion.40 As I have already pointed out, the Iraqis are convinced that the success of Zionism would mean a decisive defeat for the cause of Arab unity.
- 4.
- The British here do not appear to be particularly disturbed by the situation although the Ambassador and members of the Embassy have told me that they deplore the publicity which has been given to the American pronouncements. Certain British subjects particularly those engaged in commercial pursuits who have a dread of possible American trade rivalry are said to be pleased at growing Iraqi hostility towards the United States. A few of the more thoughtful Britishers, however, who realize that Arab loss of confidence in the integrity of the United States is likely to be accompanied by a disillusionment with regard to Western civilization as a whole and a consequent decline in British influence in this area, are becoming increasingly concerned.
- A reference to the Arab Revolt of 1916 against the Turks.↩