780.5/10–2252: Telegram
No. 99
The Ambassdor in Iraq (Berry) to the
Department of State1
520. Depcirtels 449 and 450.2 Emb agrees with Dept’s excellent comments on UK draft paper.
No objections here re prelimin informal approach to Egypt. Iraqis in general recognize paramount importance Egypt to successful defense org and any criticisms can be turned aside this basis.
Believe Emb Cairo’s suggestion re lifting as much as possible of nomenclature, language and ideas from Arab collective security pact and incorporating them into whatever final MEDO instrument evolves had merit provided it can be done so as not to interfere with MEDO’s de facto capacity deal with Arab countries individually. Emb believes, however, that it wld be better omit mention of pact in first instance and let suggestions come from Arabs themselves so that they may feel they have had some kind of creative role in MEDO. Iraqis and others almost sure to bring up Arab collective security pact if they engage in subsequent discussions.
In re manner presentation I agree multilateral démarche too heavy-handed and formalistic for purpose proposed. Local Doyen3 taking lead wld apparently give Turkey no major role in any country and also may coincidentally give rise “spheres of influence” impression. However, I see no practicable alternative. IG accustomed consulting in first instance with Brit Amb. I believe advisable he [Page 300] take lead here in presenting written document with Fr, Turk and myself subsequently lending informal oral support.