787.56/8–1650: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iraq (Crocker)1

secret

76. Urtel 105, Aug 16. Dept sympathetic Iraqi desire improve defense and agrees you shld exercise great care to show US concern short of commitments. You shld point out that under current US policy as set forth Austin’s statement SC on Aug 4, 19492 and Tripartite Declaration May 25, 19503 US prepared consider export license applications for arms purchased this country if required for internal security or self-defense.

Although Dept and Dept of Defense will be glad consider Iraqi list, Iraqis must locate arms themselves on US commercial market. Iraqis need not await evaluation list before filing applications for such items as they are able procure.

You shld also point out to Iraqis limitations USG arms supply in view extensive and increasing world commitments and endeavor persuade them be more conservative in light their budgetary stringencies.

For your guidance in discussion with Iraqis armaments of high combat potential, e.g., artillery, tanks, jet aircraft, are probably not available commercially due to high priority USG procurement. Certain defensive weapons and items of lower combat potential, e.g., radar equipment, AT–6 aircraft, propellent gunpowder, practice bombs, half tracks, machine guns, other small arms, may be available either from present commercial stocks or from new manufacture.

Emb quite correct in discussing Iraqi arms requests with Brit Emb and in assumption that at some time Dept will wish discuss matter with UK in Washington or London.4 However, Dept wld prefer you not mention US–UK consultations to Iraqis. Observance Iraqi obligations under Anglo-Iraqi treaty not USG responsibility and Dept believes there no reason at this stage to irritate Iraqis by interjecting reference to consultation with UK.

Acheson
  1. Repeated to London.
  2. For the text of this statement, see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, Fourth Year, Fourth Series, No. 26, pp. 23–27.
  3. For documentation concerning the Tripartite Declaration of May 25, see pp. 122 ff.
  4. The Iraqi arms request was the subject of a discussion between Dennis A. Greenhill, First Secretary of the British Embassy in Washington, and John R. Barrow of NE on September 19. Mr. Greenhill said that his Government “wished to state emphatically that it was very sympathetic to Iraq’s desire to improve its defense and that there was no question of the UK obstructing Iraqi efforts to equip its forces.” (Memorandum, September 19; 787.56/9–1950)