890G.24/65: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Iraq (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15—9:48 p.m.]
291. Reference my 240, October 17, 1 p.m. Working under the assumption expressed in paragraph 2 of my 290, December 14, 4 p.m.20 I have not continued to press Iraqi Government for a settlement of questions relating to customs exemptions and demands for income tax payment on passenger and freight earnings of vessels arriving Basra nor have I officially taken up with Government question of recognition of military cards of identification army intends in any event to issue uniformed and civil personnel.
In view of prorogation of Parliament and delay in any declaration of war by Iraq it might be well for Department to let me have proposed wording of draft agreement mentioned closing sentence Department’s telegram 176, September 14, 8 a.m. (reference my 226, October 8, 1 p.m. and 240, October 17, 11 [1] p.m.).
I would also greatly appreciate a reply to this Legation’s as yet unanswered telegram 119, June 16, 10 a.m. as this last issue promises to become of greater insistence here and in Iran as well unless indeed by a declaration of war all of these questions as well as those mentioned in my 290, December 14, 4 p.m. automatically are answered to our satisfaction.
- Not printed; the assumption was that if Iraq declared war and signed the United Nations pact, thus becoming an ally, a separate treaty would not be necessary (740.0011 European War 1939/26512).↩