780.5/1–2854: Telegram
No. 186
The Acting
Secretary of State to the Embassy
in Iraq1
406. Supply of arms assistance Iraq now formally approved USG.2 However, provision this information Iraq Government requires coordination with impending developments in Turk–Pakistani security cooperation agreement.
Following full exchange of views with US, Turks have agreed promptly approach Pakistanis in Karachi and propose initiation discussions between two governments looking toward consultative arrangements on political, economic and security matters of mutual concern. US prepared inform Pakistan intention supply arms assistance in framework such arrangements. In view this condition attached aid to Pakistan, believe it would be unwise inform Iraqis they would receive assistance with no strings attached until after Turk–Pakistan decision to consult is announced. Department anticipates such announcement within next two weeks and considers [Page 475] Iraq might be informed availability US assistance immediately thereafter.
It is intention Turks immediately prior public announcement of Turk–Pakistani decision consult on co-operative arrangements to sound out Iraqis as to their willingness associate themselves such arrangements (para. 8 Ankara Embtel 5 to Baghdad).3 Believe US approach Iraq few days later could usefully reinforce Turk representations.
Believe at that time it would be proper for Ambassador state US informed of Turkish approach, supports proposed arrangements as contributing area security and hopes Iraq will feel able cooperate now or later. He might also state that while US assistance not conditioned on such cooperation and no commitments or undertakings will be required of Iraq except those stipulated Mutual Security legislation, USG will naturally take account of country’s potential contribution to area defense. Effectiveness such contribution obviously will depend in considerable measure upon progress made in developing co-operative arrangements with other countries which have common interest in problem. (This substantially line proposed Embtel 386.)4
FYI Saudi Arabians have recently refused sign form of MDAP agreement similar that circulated RECNE meeting Cairo and negotiations will be allowed rest until they see fit request resumption. Iraq only other Arab state to which it is at present planned offer grant military assistance. No aid planned for Israel.
Form of agreement to be negotiated Iraq still under discussion State and Defense with Department making every endeavor secure simplified form similar draft of which Embassy has copy, and to supply text Embassy before date on which Iraqi Government informed of decision.
Discussion with British re principles for coordinating US and British programs Iraq still continues. However, positions close enough warrant despatch military survey team Iraq even if Memorandum of Understanding has not been formally approved by time other necessary preliminaries to this action have been completed.
Department’s present thought that such survey team would proceed Baghdad via London and that it might start immediately after opening of negotiations for MDAP agreement, provided Ambassador of opinion that chances Iraq signature reasonably promising.
- Repeated as 828 to Ankara and 601 to Karachi. Drafted by Daspit and cleared by NE.↩
- Military assistance for Iraq was approved by the President on Jan. 26 and noted in a memorandum for the Director of the Foreign Operations Administration. The closing sentences of the Jan. 26 memorandum noted that the President found Iraq of direct importance to the defense of the Near East area and its increased ability to defend itself important to the security of the United States. The memorandum was attached to another memorandum, dated Jan. 22, from Stassen to the President, informing him the Departments of State and Defense recommended the action. According to the Stassen memorandum, the Department of Defense proposed, and the Department of State endorsed, an initial program of $10 million for Iraq. The amount was to be funded from the $30 million provided specifically for use in the Near East by Congress under Section 202(b) of the Mutual Security Act of 1951, as amended. Both of the above memoranda were transmitted to the Department of State with a letter from Stassen to the Secretary of State, dated Jan. 29, notifying him formally of the President’s action. (780.5/1–2954)↩
- Same as telegram 699 from Ankara, not printed; see footnote 2, Document 170.↩
- Dated Jan. 3, not printed. (787.5 MSP/1354)↩