124.90G/9–1245: Telegram
The Chargé in Iraq (Moreland) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 12—5 p.m.]
353. British Chargé, G. H. Thompson, told member of my staff today that British Embassy here has strongly recommended amendment of Anglo-Iraqi treaty to enable Iraq to exchange Ambassadors with other countries and that it especially hoped that this change might induce the US to send Ambasador here. This question Thompson stated is being discussed by Stonehewer Bird6 in London, and Thompson feels confident treaty will be amended.
He added rather pointedly however that he had “heard” that US was about to appoint an Ambassador to Egypt without having consulted British and intimated that if true it might change British attitude towards desirability of having an American Ambassador at Baghdad. As Thompson explained it, appointment of American Ambassador to Cairo before retirement of present aged British Ambassador there would unnecessarily raise question of precedence and make situation needlessly embarrassing for Britain.
In Iraq he pointed out it was reasonably sure that able, experienced Stonehewer Bird would remain chief of mission for next 5 or 6 years, and thus the arrival of an American Ambassador would present no problem of precedence for some time. In any case Thompson said, he had deduced that US would not appoint another Minister to Iraq. Nothing was said in reply to lead him to believe that his deduction was in error, but he was informed that this Legation had not been advised of any immediate [intention?] on our part to appoint an Ambassador to Cairo.
Repeated to Cairo.7