Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

780.5/10–2452: Telegram

No. 100
The Ambassador in Iraq (Berry) to the Department of State¹

secret

Baghdad, October 24, 1952—3 p.m.

531. Re London’s 2304 Oct 20.² Emb doubts that Iraq can or shld be split off from other Arab states in regard participation in MEDO or that Turks can be useful broach this subj to Iraq Govt. It is probably true that Regent,³ with his personal pro-Western inclinations, displayed favorable attitude in discussing MEDO with Turk PriMin in London, but bringing Iraq Govt as whole to make break with other Arab states not only difficult but probably also inadvisable from standpoint Iraqs internal stability. In any case present caretaker Iraq Govt in no position to make decision.

If MEDO made sufficiently attractive Iraqis cld be persuaded use their influence in discussion with other Arab states to bring about collective Arab decision participate in MEDO but in this Emb’s view Egypt must also be persuaded before positive Arab action likely.

Anti-Turk sentiment presently so high here that Emb doubts if Turk intervention wld be fruitful. Turk has no Amb here and intervention by Chargé ahead of Brit and US Amb might not only create suspicion concerning Turk motive but also give impression that US and UK were trying to get out-from-under.

Berry

1. Repeated to Amman, London, Ankara, Paris, Beirut, Damascus, Cairo, and Jidda.
2. Document 97.
3. Crown Prince Abdul Ilah, uncle of King Faisal II who was a minor.