Office of the Historian

168. Telegram From the Department of State to the Secretary of State in Geneva1

Washington,July 21, 1955—7:55 p.m.

Tedul 36. We have received through Russell report of your talk with Macmillan on Alpha2 and Macmillan’s request that we inform him, if possible before Brit Cab discussion of Alpha (about July 26), of our position on two points he raised with you and about which Eden sent message to President (Secto 283). Subject your approval, we suggest Emb London inform Macmillan as fols:

1.
US adherence Turko-Iraqi pact. In explaining to Nuri Secretary’s statement on Arab-Israel problem immediately before its issuance we are willing to outline to Nuri our views on adherence to Turko-Iraqi pact. We would explain that under existing circumstances and particularly because of effect on Arab-Israel situation we unable adhere at this time. Should Arab-Israel accommodation materialize we prepared join pact. In meantime we will continue to encourage and support Turko-Iraqi pact and we are ready establish close liaison arrangements with pact organization in order coordinate our plans and aid programs for development ME defensive strength with plans and efforts other states concerned.
2.
Offshore procurement tanks for Iraq. We intend continue our present policies on offshore procurement in UK for Iraq. Our current modest Iraq program makes no provision for tanks. We unable yet give definite answer re offshore procurement Centurions but under present circumstances and in absence greater effort by other countries, any increase in Iraq program for this purpose would prove difficult.

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/7–1755. Top Secret; Alpha; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Burdett; cleared with Allen; and approved and signed by Hoover. Repeated to London.↩
  2. See Document 158.↩
  3. Document 161.↩