867N.01/9–2645: Telegram
The Chargé in Iraq (Moreland) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 26, 1945—2:55 p.m.]
373. The Prime Minister handed to me yesterday the following note:41
Monsieur Le Chargé d’Affaires: I wish to invite your attention to the disturbing news contained in the latest telegrams concerning the pressure which is being exerted by American circles on the British Government and which is increasing from day to day to induce it to dishonor its obligations to the Arabs of Palestine, and to the news that His Excellency President Truman is urging the British Government to open the door of Palestine for Zionist immigration, thereby promoting the interests of the Zionist and the realization of their ambitions. If this is true, it is contrary to all the promises and undertakings oral and written, which have been given to the Arabs to the effect that the US would take no action with regard to Palestine before consulting the Arabs. Moreover it would indicate an indifference to the rights of the Palestinian Arabs who are the sole owners of the country.
Iraq, which entered this war on the side of the United Nations, impressed by the principles of the Atlantic Charter, cannot imagine that the American nation which is regarded by the world as a citadel of liberty and international justice, would cast aside this Charter.
Arabs in general and Iraq in particular, sympathize with the destitute of Europe—victims of Nazism—just as the American people do, but they do not believe that Zionism is the means of solving the world Jewish problem, or that it should be solved at their expense, because Zionism is in fact an aggressive movement which aims at the colonization of Palestine and the expulsion of peaceful Arabs from their own country, or rendering them a small powerless minority in the land which they inherited thousands of years ago. Such is the meaning of opening Palestine to Zionism immigration.
It has been proved to the Arabs beyond all doubt, that the Zionists intend to invade other Arab countries after they have overrun Palestine. We therefore regard the Palestine question as a matter of life and death. Zionism is an aggressive movement directed at the heart of the Arab nation and any support which may be given to it will create in Arab circles thoughts and impressions which would not be [Page 745] desirable by the American Government. The Arab nation is resolved to use all means at its disposal to defend its existence, and safety and security in the homeland.
It was anticipated that the tragedies and crimes which occurred in Palestine because of the Zionists would come to an end, especially so as the Atlantic Charter clearly guarantees the right of all weak nations to security and freedom from fear. The strength and military power of the US is more than sufficient to compel the Arabs to acquiesce in any policy which the US may impose on the nations. If this is the case, why all these charters and pledges, to which America has bound itself, for safeguarding human rights and liberties? And what is the effect of the glorious history which has made America known, through Out the world, as the constant supporter of right and justice? We do not wish at all to believe that Zionist influence in America can reverse facts so as to make right wrong and wrong right. It is the right of the Palestine Arabs to determine their own fate without the intervention of others in their affairs. To compel them to receive among them strangers, who harbor the most dangerous intentions towards them, would be contrary to all logic and conscience.
While inquiring about the truth of the news which reports the intervention of Americans in general and President Truman in particular in defense of Zionist immigration into Palestine, I strongly protest in the name of the Iraq Government and people against any intervention contrary to the rights of the Palestinian Arabs in their homeland and against any attempt to admit strangers there without the consent of the Arabs who are the legitimate owners of Palestine. The Iraq Government deems its duty again to inform the American Government that it regards any support to Zionism as an act directed against the interests of the Iraq State in particular and the interests of the Arab peoples in general. It is hoped, in view of the friendship which Iraq feels towards the American people, that America will avoid injuring the Arabs in their own homelands by any such intervention.
I request, Monsieur Le Chargé d’Affaires, that you will be kind enough to communicate the contents of this note to your Government and to accept my highest consideration and respect.
Signed Hamdi al Pachachi.
- In telegram 383, October 4, 1945, from Baghdad, the Chargé stated that “Text Prime Minister’s protest published all local papers today.” (867N.01/10–445)↩