IRAQI ELECTIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200330005-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 1998
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: June 8, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

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IRAQI ELECTIONS
I. Prospects
8 June 1954
A. Parliamentary elections being held today (9 June) will
probably be won by pro-Western conservatives.
25X1X6
widespread government
intervention in elections has begun; aimed at Communist-
dominated National Front and also at assuring parliamentary
control for Constitutional Union party of Nuri Said.
2. Other leading conservative party--led by Saleh Jabr--
split three ways; many, including Jabr--erstwhile foe of
Nuri--are for the present supporting Nuri.
3. No indication who will be prime minister. Nuri Said,
who has held that office 11 times always a good possibility.
Ex-prime minister Ja.mali is politically ambitious.
B. Communist-directed National Front--consisting of illegal
Communist Party, leftist National Democratic Party, rightist
Independence Party, and independents--expected win from 8
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to 20 seats out of 135. Lower figure seems more likely
now that government has begun intervention. Late reports
indicate arrest of seven Front- candidates and tight
control on public meetings.
C. Communists threaten armed demonstrations; are prepared for
strong police action; several killed, wounded and arrested
25X1A6a
in disturbances so far. However, early June reports
25X1A6a
state Iraqi army alerted and will take over
police posts from 8-10 June and will return fire if crowd
begins shooting. Government considered able to control
situation.
II. Significance of elections
A. Continuation of present Iraqi foreign policy:
1. Implementation of Iraqi-American arms aid agreement.
2. Support for eventual adherence to Turkish-Pakistani pact.
B. Increased importance of Communist Party:
1. Should about 10 seats be won by Communist-controlled
candidates--as is likely--they will be in a position to
cause government considerable trouble through ability to
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exploit anti-Western'sm in parliament.
SECET
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2. Only Communists have waged vigorous election campaigns;
accumulated non-Communist candidates; attracted inde-
pendent support; captured non-Communist meetings, spread
much propaganda against arms aid and pact. All this
activity even though CP outlawed and continuously subject
police repression.
C. Mounting tension in Iraq:
1. Communist activity, apathy of pro-Western politicians
and absence of genuine liberal, reform party in Iraq leaves
the Communists only voice of deep political and social
discontent.
2. Elections doing nothing to eliminate that discontent, and
extremism can be expected to grow.
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DRAFT
NSC BRIEFING
IRAQI ELECTIONS
8 June 1954
ELECTION STATISTICS
BACKGROUND DATA
Out of 466 original candidates 144 have withdrawn as of
6 June. Of the 322 remaining, 32 candidates unopposed, including
12 members of Nuui's conservative Constitutional Union Party.
Withdrawal was largely motivated by desire to save $250 deposit
required of each candidate. This deposit forfeited by candidates
who fail to receive at least 10 percent of vote cast in his
election district.
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