MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION - IRAN-IRAQ RELATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000600010039-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2012
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: January 26, 1961
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/25: CIA-RDP08C01297R000600010039-5,
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FROM
? (Security Classification)
FOREIGN SERVICE DESPATCH
? Am Embassy TEHRAN . 407
? PMORaY .
?ESP.' NO..
? TO ? TEE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 'WASHINGTON.
- REF EH:Des 2511 November'10i 1960
January 26,1961
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Use Only
SUBJECT:
ACTION
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Memorandum of Conversation . Iran-.Iraq Relations dei-2= A,, h111?41
. ,
? The enclosed.re..,,morandui reports inform. tion proVided by Dr. -Ezato/lah 71
AMELI, Chief of the First Political Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
. - . ? ?
. . .
Dr. kneli appeared well satisfied with recent trends in Iran's relations
with Iraq but did not radiate any optimism on prospects for an early settle?
ment of outstanding differences between the two countries. lir. Aveli personally
favors maintaining relations in their improved form as the best means of making
progress toward an eventual settlement and indicated that he is opposed to the
Idea of making continued good relations appear to be .dependent 'Upon an Iraqi
..cOneessibn -to negotiate seriously. . ?
. . , .
Althoug'n the Government of Iraq has relaxed its visa restrictions for Iranian
-pilgrims, the Iranian Government has not authorized its citizens tc travel to
, Iraq:sblely for this purpose.
? Background infornation regarding the Alvand River and Iranian diversion
of waters flowing into Iraq is contained in Emba.ssy Despatch 209 of pepthinber 30,
19594
FOR THE 'AMBASSADOR:
ne Memo of Con.
cc : AmEmbassy BAGHDAD
- LONDON
AmCon BASRA
AU Consula.te DAN
MulliganAfo:- ?
REPORTER
ACTION COPY ? DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The action office must return this permanent record copy to MGR files with an endorsement of acti,m takm.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/25: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010039-5
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/25: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010039-5_-
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SUBJECT:
PLACE:
CONFIDENTIAL Pg. 1, Encl. 1, Desp, 407
From: AmEmbassy.TEHRAN
?
Iran-Iraq Relations .
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Ezatollah AMELI? Chief, First Political Division
J. P. Mulligan, Second Secretary, Anerican Embassy; Tehran
Dr. Aneli provided the following information and comment on the present
status of IranIs relations with Iraq.
1. Speculation in the press that Iraqi Foreign Minister JAWAD has been
invited to visit Tehran is premature ad grew out of Jawad 's brief visit to
Abadan recently. The Ministry has considered proposing that such an invitation
be extended but has not yet done so and has not discussed nor explored the idea
with Iraqi officials.
2. Speculation in the press that Iraqi Foreign Minister JAWAD has been
invited to visit Tehran is premature and grew out of Jawadls brief visit to
Abadan recently. The Ministry has considered proposing that such an invitation
be extended but has not yet done so and has not discussed nor explored the idea
with Iraqi officials.
- 3. The Director of Iraqi Ports and the Military Commandant from Basra are
expected to visit Abadan and Khorramshahr this week. They will be the principal
Iraqi spectators at a football (soccer) match between Iraqi and Iranian teams.
The playing of this match and the attendance of these officials is indicative
of the improved state of relations between the two countries.
- 4. These relations continue to improve and Dr. Ameli expressed the hope
that attempts to settle differences between the two countries mill not prejudice
this improvement. He said that in his advice to the Foreign Minister and to
high level officials of the Ministry, he has stressed the importance of maintaining
good relations as the best hope for arriving at an ultimate solution of mutual
problems. He indicated that the alternative to this policy is to act as though
the continuance of good relations depends upon progress toward a settlement of
differences, and that he believes this would be non-productive and shortsighted.
5. Relations between the Foreign Ministry and the Iraqi Embassy in Tehran
are excellent. Ambassador Amin (Abdul Muttulib AMIN) has been cooperative,
sincere and understanding in his contacts with the Ministry.
6. The Iraqi Oovernmefit has eased its restrictions on the issuance of
visas to Iranians proceeding to Iraq for business or to visit relatives living
in Iraq and has also authorized the travel of Iranian pilgrims to the religious
shrines in Iraq during the months in which such pilgrimages are customarily
made. The Iranian Government has not authnrized a resumption of general pilgrim
travel to Iraq but has had this question under more or less continuous consider-
ation.
CONFIDENTIAL
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3. The question of river diversion and water- rights along the Iran-Iraq
border/ which has disturbed the Iraqi Government in the past/ is a part of the
over-all boundary problem and this aspect of that problem should not be
separated from the Shatt-al-Arab 'question. The issues which hate arisen
? regarding water which flows from the mountains of Iran to the valleys and
? plains in Iraq can be resolved but are not urgent at the moment. Differences
over the Alvand River have been resolved already/. because: (1) even though
Iran intends using the waters of this river for local, power and irrigation
with the aid of a dam at Qasr-i-Shirin, an ample supply of water is assured
and will continue to flow to Khanatiln in Iraq; (2) the Iraqi Government has
constucted a canal 4iich connects two streams above Khanaqin, therebY
increasing the amount of water available to the area below, where it is needed.
- ? . - ? .. . ,
CONFIDENTIAL Pg. 2/ Encl. 1/ Desp. No 107
From: kmEmbassy IFIRAN
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/25: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010039-5