TRANSMITTAL OF BAGHDAD PRESS ITEMS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
R
Document Page Count: 
46
Document Creation Date: 
December 16, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 9, 2004
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 26, 1950
Content Type: 
REPORT
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PDF icon CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0.pdf2.58 MB
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Approved For Relea'gr se 2005192/14; CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 FORM NO. 51.61A MAY 1949 CLASSIFICATION CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 25XREPORT INFORMATION REPORT CD NO. COUNTRY Middle East PLACE ACQUIRED DATE ACQUIRED Transmittal of Baghdad Press Items NO. OF PAGES 1 NO. OF ENCLS. 12 (LISTED BELOW) SUPPLEMENT TO REPORT NO. FOCUN ENT CONTA INS INFORMATION AF FEC TINC THE NATIONAL DEFENSE E UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT 50 U S C. 31 AND 32 AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PRO- HIBITED BY LAW. REPRODIICTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED 25X1 25X1 THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION The attached material is sent in the belief that it may be of interest: Daily Reviews of the Baghdad Press, Baghdad, Iraq. These attachments are of a free classification. 25X1 STAT E CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTED Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83- D A I L Y R E V I E of the B A G H D A.D F R E S S Embassy of the U.S.A. Tuesday, October 3, 1950. Baghdad, Iraq. KOREA. "What is next?" inquires Al-Ittihad Ad-Dasturi's political commentator. The UN forces have crossed the 38th parallel in Korea. The Soviet maneuver of occupying the whole of Korea has "bitterly failed." It is unlikely that the Soviet Union intervenes openly in Korea, because it means world war. However, she may resort to the use of Communist China; but, this will not be without risk for the new China has not yet healed its wounds. The answer to this point will be known in the near future. Stressing the Communist shrewdness of planning the attack on South Korea, the paper says that Russia had thrown into the field a well-trained and well-equipped army in an area to which only the U.S. attaches much importance, with the prospect of a ouick victory and dissension among the destern nations. But, Russia has been outmaneuvered. Her boycott of the UN has proved to be a big mistake. Commenting on Chinese Fremier Chou En Lai's warning against invasion of countries neighboring China, A1-Yagdha says- that the view?6f the ulashington observers, that this is a threat only and one which will not be carried out, indicates a "new stupidity and short-sightedness", because there is a wide difference betwet;n China, which shares the feeling of the North Koreans, and Russia, which acts as much as required by her interests and ambitions. THE TANGIER CONFERENCE OF THE U.S. DIPLOMATS IN AFRICA. Sada Al-Ahali says that the Tangier conference of the U.S. diplomats in Africa was opened yesterday and is to elaborate on matters already studied by the conferences held at Istanbul and Cairo. The Tangier conference will deal also with the ques- tion of the defense of the Middle East, as there is much American propaganda about it these days; indeed, new Defense Secretary Marshall conferred about it at the first meeting he had with the Chiefs of Staff, and the Congress is expected to send a m litary delegation to study conditions in the Middle East. 'Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-Orhe.... . 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 2 - October 3, 1950. The outcome of the Istanbul and Cairo conference of the U.S. diplomats in the Middle East was the issuance of the Tripartite Declaration which restored the partition of the Middle East into spheres of influence among Britain, France and the U.S., and the membership of Turkey into the Atlantic Fact. "Thus," says the paper, "events have proved that the theme of promoting stability, peace and prosperity in the Middle East is meant by the U.S. to tie the area to her blocs, to make it participate in all her military preparations, to drag it into matters non-related to its interests and inconsis- tent with world peace, and to make it accept what contradicts its vital interests, natural rights and national aspirations." The U.S. wants to exert pressure on some Arab states to make peace with Israel. Most probably, the U.S. will renew her efforts in this sense after the said conference, in addi- tion to trying to expand her influence over Arab North Africa in agreement with France. ABDUL RAZZAK AL-DHAHER'S VIEWS ON POLITICAL REFORM. Ex-Economics Minister Abdul Razzak A1-Dhaher set forth his views on political reform in an editorial published by Az-Zaman. There is unanimous concurrence, says Abdul Razzak Al- Dhaher, that drastic reform is required in Iraq. Rulers and subjects talk of it equally. They agree on the defects; but differ over the method. The ruling class will do everything which occurs to its mind short of affecting its interests. The only way to deal with Iraq's problems is that "government machinery and politics should be based on a sound and genuine democratic regime, inspired by the Iraqi Constitu- tion, and that it should be implemented in letters and spirit." A genuinely representative and freely elected parliament will avert the need of resorting to tribal, military and popular coups d'etat. Indeed, the people will be able to bring to power those they want without shedding blood, like in Egypt and Turkey. The arguments of the old school against such a reform are that this is impractical in tribal areas. On the contrary, elections will be easier there, as tribesmen will select mem- bers of the leading family. Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 - 3 - October 3, 1950. THE SAYID ABDUL MAHDI v. FAIQ AS-SAMERRAI CASE. Al-Umma had charged that Faiq As-Samerrai censured Abdul 11`.~hdi because he, Faiq, was the attorney of Abdul Hussain Al- Hemeidi and of Haddab A1-Kheiralla. Today, Liwa Al-Istialal explains these two cases. The case of Hussain Al-Hemeidi.- In the Shatra Qadha, a murder occurred. Thirty persons were accused, under pressure from Sayid Abdul N.ahdi. Some of them were acquitted and others convicted. Among the acquitted, was Hussain Al-Hemeidi. The file of the case was forwarded to the Mutasarrif of the Muntafik Liwa; he approved the court's decision. Then, it was forwarded to the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry of Interior found some ground for convicting Hussain Al-Hemeidi; instead of referring the case to the court after quashing its decisions, it sentenced him to 14 years for instigating the murder and 5 years for the attempt at murder, while the authors of the murder were condemned to 14 years only. The Ministry of Interior resorted to this action, because the Suwaidi government was resigning and Abdul Mahdi was afraid that the sentence might be more lenient if passed when he is out of power. The case of Haddab Al-Kheirallah.- Haddab A1-Kheirallah is the cousin of 'iohan Kheirallah. Their enmity is known by everyone: in Nasiriyah. Mohan instigated Haddab's brothers to file a suit against the "Sirkals" of Haddab. The decision of the local authorities was quashed by the Ministry of Interior. Court hearings were renewed; and he was denied the right to pro- duce a legal document to prove his case. When forwarded to the Ministry of Interior, the verdict w~is immediately approved; that was at the time when Nuri As-Said was selecting his colleagues for the new govt-rnment. (Liwa Al-Istiglal) Addressing itself to the Independence Party, Al-Umma says that the party, which is so low as to accept the f~ct that Faiq As-Samerrai exploits it for his own purposes, does not deserve to be answered. After reviewing the Independence Party's stand on the Jewish emigration, Faiq As-Samerrai, replying to Al-Umma, says that the sophisms of Al-Umma cannot cover the big scandals which are connected with the Jewish emigration and which took place under the Suwaidi government. SHORT.... Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 Approved For Release 2005(0111 DAILY REVIEW of the B A G H D A D P R E S S Embassy of the U.S.A. Baghdad, Iraq. 06400180001-0 25X1 Fridays September 15, 1950. THE CABI'iET STORY. According to Al-Hawadith and Al-Yagdha, the new cabinet of Nuri As-Said will be announced on Saturday, September 16. Al-Hawadith carries a list of the cabinet members, however, it confesses that it is still not final. Here it is: Nuri As-Said Towfiq As-Suwaidi Saleh Jabr Abdul Karim Al-Uzri- Shaker Al-Nadi Abdul Wahab Merjan Dhia Jaafar Majid Mustafa Khalil Kanna Hassan Sami Tatar Omar Nadhmi Fadhil Jamali Premiership and act. Interior Deputy-Prime Minister Foreign Affairs Finance Defense works and Communications Economics Social Affairs Education Justice ALinisters without Portfolio. MARSHALL' S APPVINTTM jT`T1 1,0 ~)Er'ENSE. The world) says Sada Al-Ahali, has been surprised by Johnson's resignation and 1:arshall's appointment to the post of Secretary of Defense. It does not matter that the Secretary of Defense changes, because the American public does not approve of the various Secretaries' appeal for war. Johnson must share Matthews' desire for "preventive war". What matters is I"arshall's appointment at this important post at such a time. Marshall has a strong perm nality and his prestige is worldwide. Due to his mission to China, Marshall is familiar with this problem; and in view of his "realistic views, it is likely that he will influence the American policy and will put MacArthur in his place regarding Formosa. In...... Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 2 - September 15, 1950 In view of Marshall's stand on China, Truman, in the opinion of A1-Yagdha, will achieve two ends by appointing him to the Defense, namely to avert a conflict with the Peiking government and to bring the American policy in line with the British. COI+MENTS. Prompted by the recent Israeli violation of the Israeli- Jordanian armistice lines, dada Al-Ahali doubts of the usefulness of Jordan's protest and General Riley's subsequent report, be- cause the UN did not lend any attention to previous complaints about such acts of violations. "Tie unquestionable fact," affirms the paper, "is that the U1 is partial in dealing with problems submitted to it... It is being driven by the United States..." Commenting on the British rearmament program, Sada Al-Ahali quotes British Premier Attlee that American assistance will be needed to carry it out. The paper, therefore, expresses the fear that the British Labor government will become more subser- vient to the United :States which will be encouraged to carry on its disquieting military preparations. Commenting on the "new Jewish aggression", Liwa Al-Istigr lal is gratified t _fttEgypt is reported to be giving much attention to the incidents, and urges that the Jews living in the Arab states should be accorded a treatment similar to the one of the Arabs in Israel. It criticizes the government for having been very lenient towards the Jews in Iraq. It blames Premier Towfiq As-Suwaidi for granting passports to wealthy Jews, and attributes it to his friendship with Moshe Shouhet, the Jewsih Community Chief. This state of affairs has led some "Arab Moslems" to sell their consciences to Jews and to forge the signature of the Minister of Interior. The paper urges that they be severely punished. SHORT NEWS. The new Iranian Ambassador-designate is expected to arrive in Baghdad this afternoon. (Al-Ittihad Ad-Dasturi) Dates....... Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R006400180001-0 -3- September 15, 1950 Dates Association DG Abdullah Al-Qassab is expected to return in Iraq next month from Europe. (Al-Ittihad Ad-Dasturi) Syrian Minister of State Hassan Al-Hakim will leave shortly for Amman and Baghdad. In Amman, he will negotiate the resumption of diplomatic and consular relations with Jor- dan. In Baghdad, he will. negotiate a trade agreement. (Al-Nabaa) The Council of Ministers has approved an ordinance impos- ing on Andrew Weir the duty of col_l,~cting the export tax on dates provided for by law No. 14 of 1950. (Al-Nabaa) The Egyptian government his granted scholarships to three of the sons of. Mohammed Mahdi Aj-Jawahery. Jawahery has just returned from Egypt, where he attended the Arab cultural conference. (A1-Alam Al-Arabi) In view of the repeated acts of aggression on the part of Israel, Egypt has got in touch with the other Arab govern- ments for common measures to treat the Jews living in the Arab states as Arabs are treated by Israel. Accordi- to informed sources, which is described as "very important", the Egyptian proposal has been communicated to Iraq. '; .e have learned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the Iraqi delegation at the Ur with the latest measures to counteract the repeated Israeli acts of aggression. (Al- Akhbar) Saad Omar, Minister of Education in the out oing Suwaidi government, has returned from Lebanon. ( z-Zama n) Saleh Jabr and Abdul Karim Al-Uzri are leaving for Europe on personal. business trips. (Az-Z