424. Telegram From the Embassy in Iraq to the Department of State1
468. This morning I took General Cook, General Dabney, Wallner, and MAAG Chief Colonel Hannah to make courtesy call on Nuri as Minister Defense. Nuri returned only yesterday from annual military maneuvers.
In the course of a half hour’s friendly talk Nuri explained that Iraqi military had kept their request for arms from US on modest basis because they did not want to embarrass US and perhaps be confronted with a turn-down. Iraqi military inclined to leave to US as much freedom of action as possible in matter of arms supply. (In making these particular remarks Nuri gave the impression that he was not so sure this was the best course.) As a result of what he had just seen up north at the maneuvers he continued he had come to feel that arms of the Iraqi forces needed modernizing. “Fire-power” too should be increased. It made no difference to him whether arms came from UK or US. The essential thing was to have the assurance of steady replacements.
Nuri did not pursue matter of arms further or press for any comment or commitment.
From arms Nuri turned to current ME situation. Here he repeated in terms that he has so often used recently his concern over leftist trend in Syria and Egyptian and Saudi Arabian intriguing and bribing in Syria. He also repeated that the GOI was prepared at any time to discuss Israeli-Arab relations so long as 1947 UN resolution was accepted as basis for discussions.
[Page 976]General Cook and party left for Tehran directly after call on Nuri, Up to now we have found no evidence in talks we have had with Iraqis or in press treatment of visit that the visit has given rise to any unusual speculation. It seems to have been very generally accepted as a routine MAAG inspection.
General Cook and his staff seemed genuinely pleased with the friendly reception accorded them by the Iraqis.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 787.5–MSP/11–1255. Confidential.↩