890G.50/11–2448: Telegram

The Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Dulles) to the Secretary of State

secret   urgent

Delga 908. For Satterthwaite1 from Kopper.2 Khanadan3 (Iraq) brought up again question of possible economic assistance to Iraq4 in near future along same lines indicated my memorandum to Secretary dated November 4.5 Khanadan reiterated view that it was essential for Iraqi Delegation have something to take home if Iraq were to acquiesce in settlement Palestine question along lines Bernadotte Plan.6

It was pointed out to him that US felt it first necessary to secure political settlement Palestine question. Khanadan demurred to this saying that if economic assistance were postponed it would be too late.

Khanadan’s approaches have been made with the approval of the chairman of the Iraqi Delegation. His line of argument has been [Page 207] similar to that expressed by Ali Jawdat7 to Dorsz (re Baghdad airgram A–311, October 268), although they say Iraqi Government does not know Iraqi Delegation here is putting out new feelers on question economic aid.

It would be helpful for us to know whether any recent prospect of economic aid inform of loans or otherwise and likewise extent to which we may go in giving any encouragement to Iraqi and other Arab Delegates on this matter.

Repeated London as 1336.

Dulles
  1. Joseph C. Satterthwaite, Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs.
  2. Samuel K. C. Kopper, Adviser to the United States Delegation at the Third Session of the General Assembly.
  3. S. Khanadan, member of the Iraqi Delegation to the General Assembly.
  4. The economic and financial situation of Iraq deteriorated considerably as 1948 wore on. Chargé Dorsz, on October 9, expressed concurrence with the views of the British Foreign Office on the urgency of granting immediate financial assistance to Iraq (telegram 607 from Baghdad, 890G.00/10–948).
  5. Copy not found in Department of State files.
  6. See progress report dated September 16, signed by Count Bernadotte included in documentation on Israel, scheduled for publication in part 2 of the present volume.
  7. Iraqi Foreign Minister.
  8. Not printed.