211. Editorial Note
On December 16, Assistant White House Staff Secretary John S.D. Eisenhower including the following report on United Arab Republic–Iraq relations in his “Synopsis of State and Intelligence Material” reported to the President:
“Nasser is reported to be expressing stronger concern than heretofore that the Qasim regime will fall under the influence of Communist elements.
“On December 11 a Soviet ship delivered the second consignment of arms to the Iraqis under the deal with the Soviet Union. This included antiaircraft and field artillery pieces and vehicles.
“Meanwhile, there are reports that the four Iraqi division commanders have decided to oust Premier Qasim in the near future. They are convinced that he is incapable of controlling the Communists or preventing further disorders. This feeling may have been spurred by the action of the Communist-led mob in Basra on December 8 which besieged the army garrison for a day.
“A report today (December 16) indicates that a foreign office official has told Embassy London that the U.K. still hopes and believes that Qasim will prove able to prevent the domination of Iraq by either Communists or the UAR. The British Charge in Iraq believes that Qasim has been playing a cautious, skillful game and some time may elapse before his final course is discernible.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries)