FOREIGN MINISTER ARAM'S STATEMENT ON THE SHATT-AL-ARAB DISPUTE AND RECENT RELATIVE EVENTS.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000600010065-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2012
• Sequence Number: 65
• Publication Date: December 19, 1959
• Content Type: MEMO

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PRIORITY
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FOREIGN SERVICE DESPATCH
AnCtabassy ?WAD, 383
61'2 ert3
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THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON.
DESP. NO.
voember 19, 1959
COPY NO:LLSERIES
6.7 .5e1ON
For Dept. ? ?
Use Only REC,11157
7.24/
SUBJECT:
DEPT.
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foreign Ninister Aram's statement on the Shat
rventso
tilErS'21A
? A- AL it 5 STATTin, ET:
in :ecember 10, 1959 Abbas ARAM, the Iranian Oinister of foreign Affairs,
replied in the Aanis to a question conrerning the Iranian position on the
Fhatt.al.Arab river posed by 4.. Abdol Hosein 0 AItiI, !enuty from
Isfahan on i;ecrimber 6, and tabled for exaanation by the :oreign
th uno:ficial translation of the statement is enclosed, Rr. Aran's main point
uaq
that the Iranian 'Iovernmclit unnts the Iraq...Iran border re-established at
the thaluog of the ,hatt-al-Arab river instead of the low uater mark along the
:ranian side,
te and Recent
!'ssentifally the Iranian position, as developed from this statement and
i'vomdiscussiono between AmbassaCor 4ailes and nr, Aran, and between the
reporting officer and rir, oltan aosein 61117A1JBAJI? Acting Chief of the :Hrst
Political Division, iiinistly of Foreigt Affairs* now seems to be as follows:
(1) Iranians are now mare inclined to base their case for an equal
voice in the 5hatt.a1.Arab river on Iraqi.Anspired ,?rievances,
claiming that it is the Iraqis who are being unreasoncble;
(2) therefore, the Iranians say they have no choice except to consider
that the Iraqis themselves have abrogated the 1937 ?reaty which
(3)
makes it inoimbent upon them to fall back on the conclusion
that the'Iran?Iraq boundary on the 6hatt is henceforth established
at the thalweg, This course, they maintain, is in conformity with
the principles of international law.
The present Iranian position seems to have shifted from one of tryin7 to
talk the Iraqis into imlemontinr: ArtiPle 5 of the 1937 :1.034, ,..Tith a vim
to concluding an ag,eement on the various points at issue, to one of trying
to gain acceptance that the tre^ty is null and void, As stated, they.uant
the borer to be established at an thaluege
fAtilthr0
REPORTER
INFO. TION COIIV
Retain in divisional 2.iies or destroy in accordance with seec* gUu
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tetth CONFLUITIAL Portions
g. 4 Deep* Noe, 383
FrOla: AmEmbassy rehran
The Embassy does not, however, discount the possibility that the Iranian
Government might return to its former position, if: (1) the Iraqis adopt a
more conciliatory attitude; (2) they express a willingness to implement Article 5
of the 2937 Treaty, along with (3) making a friendly gesture, as for example,
saying they have no further objection to the use by Pan American Oil Company
of the port of Mosroabad. Neither the Iranian Government nor the Lnbassy is
optimistic, hcvever, that this Contingency 11 happen* The Iranians claim,
too, that their patience is almost exhausted, but emphasize that they wish to
find a peaceful solation*
PAIIIZAMEnT13 aEACTION
Iraqi Prime Minister CAssim's statement, ar4 Iraqi policy, in general,
have been assailed in Parliament, 2ajlia Deputies have referred to Iraq's
,claim with a certain amount of scorn. They refer to Iran's being the first
nation to recognize the Iraqi regime; they say Iraq's claim are highly
presumptuous, caning from this young country whose territory, including Basra
and Baghdad, they describe as having belonged to Iran as recently as 150 years
ago. Others deplore Iraq's rejection of Iran's brotherly love and cite such
examples of the letter as Iran's declining of a League of Nations offer to
assume the trusteeship of Iraq after Wirld War I, and more recently, Iran's
endeavors to solve its outstanding problems with both Nueib and Qassim's
regimes* Otill others cite the tie of common religion, the benefits Iraq has
derived from the yearly pilgrimage traffic to Xerbela, Najafkand lazemain,
and the bounty collected additionally by Iraq from shipping to Iranian ports,
as examples of reasons why Iraq should be sympathetic to Iran's interests in
this matter*
Prior to the Foreign Minister's speech, the Government's policy was
criticized publicly by some deputies as being too meek and mild. Deputy
Mohamed liosein &MEM of Shiraz summarized this feeling with a quotation
from Saadi, saying "If you speak mild words with a fool, you but increase his
pride gad haughtiness*" Expressions of feeling such as the foregoing, hadevers
have been balanced by statements of general regret and a hope for the solution
of this issue on the basis of genuine amicability end understanding*
Parliamentary reaction to the Foreign Minister's speech was muffled somewhat
by preparations for the arrival of ?resident Fisenhaaer, as was speculation in
the press about the significance of the return from Baghdad of Iranian
Ambassador Ananollah ARDALAN* It appears, however, the immediate consensus was
that the Foreign Minister had presented a welloreasoned reply to the Iraqi Prime
Minister's statement, and that the Government's assurances of firm resolve for the
preservation of Iranian rights were in harmony aith expectations*
Tehran press reports of December 17 concerning the death of an Iranian
farmer, described as shot and killed on the Iranian bank of the Shatt.alwArab
by gunfire from a passing Iraqi motor launch, provoked new indignation in some
papers, and new criticism by Deputy Fstakhr In a speech to the open session of
the Majlis on December 17,
SLI:CALT with CthrilDiLaIiii. Port ens
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?go 3, F;tSpe 1:104) 333
From: illiSITIbaSSy TOkAnall
SZCALT with CONFIDESTIAL eortione
According to gae-eiona Mr. Pstalehr called the Deputies'
attention to the Feigr of 3ecedber 10 and went on to
declare that one of the greetept mistakes had been recognition of ti-E unstable
nee Irage regeme, especially aeethip receenition folicreed so soon after the
revolting ?murders in Baghdad, weenee so shocked and hurt Moslems all over the
world,
Deputy Estakhr's remarks Were reported in the Tehran Journal as follcus:
The situation between Iran and Iraq has passed the stage comelaints
and protests, and it is high time the Goverment of Iran revises its
)oeition In that neiehborine country?
The eouty reeortedle stated that he did not know in what status Iraq
should be held by a foreign country ?ince the position of Drie. Gen.
eassim was not quite clear to the outside world. The clain laid by
Qassim on a portion of Iranian territory clearly indicates that the
relationehio between the two countries has changed and it is about
time the position is reviewed by Iran.
Only recently Iraqi frontier guards murdered an Iranian peasant on
Iranian soil. This act in itself has ruptured the ties of friendship
between the tao countries,
Tracing the history of the origins of the peoples of Iraq and Irene
the Deputy told the House that these. two Peoples were from two different
stock's ando-therefore, could net be referred to as "brothers".
The killings and shootings along the border cannot be tolerated, The
Deputy stated that although he wae not complaining against the attitude
adopted by the Govermnent of Iran, it was high tiem that firm action
be taken, "We cannot sit back and watch these atrocities being committed
by a people who have only recently come into power,"
FOaEIGE NIHRZE2 ARAM'S RFA1Rn8 MAMASSADOR
As an indication of current Irdnian ?thinking' Vir. Aram asked the Ambassador
if Iraq had agreed to abide by World Court decisions, He also requested the
embesaador to obtain, ar
possibleiethe Department's reaction to the enclosed ,
statement to the Aalis, (Note: It would, therefore, be helpful and appreciated
if the Departreent would send a brief VAnegneyeeleeectepet. both theca points,
followite receipt of this deepatoh.)
FIFPILi SECRET
On Decetber 18 the Foreign Minister talked again with AMbassador.Uailes
and expressed real concern over recent developments in the .%attealeArab,
After stating that since he had not had the opportunity to talk with the Shah
for several days, the views which follow were to be considered personal
rather than official, Mr, Aram made the follading points;
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tla21
4, 40 DesP0 Lo9 383
with CaTIDEnTLAL portions From: AMFmbassy Tehran
(1) Prffvioas claims and statements by*Qassim could perhaps be partly
excused on internal political emends and as being made for internal
coneumption. -
(2) now, haWeVerso the Iraqi Foreign Minister's claims to Khmeramdbahr
are more serious, even though he was probably ordered by Casein
to take this s
(3) The people, prese and Government of Iran are takin?, thin matter
moot seriously, and he hoped that we could find eame way of
bringine this fact to the attention of the Iraqi Government.
(4) He is also disturbed that the Iraqi Ambassador, who seemed to be
a reasonable person, had cone home some months egos and has not
returned0. If he is going into politics, shouldn't the Iraqi
Government send someone else in his place, as this was the time
for good diplomatic representation?
The Iranian Ambassador to Iraq is old, and without hurting his
feelings, Mr. Aram hopes to be able to replace him in the near
future with a nore effective representative,
(5)
The For Unister and Ambassador Wailes then discussed the possibility of
using the United Nationc in this matter, an idea which the Ambassador +dis-
couraged on the grounds that it might then develop into a broader Eastaaest
issue. END SEC=
?al:AM COM' IDENTIA,L
1111:311,5SALlia A:6=LO lintaTIS
Iranian Ambassador Amanollah =ALAN, recalled from Baghdad for consultation,
returned to Tehran December 11 and was later reported received in audience by
the Shah. He is said to have told reporters that he could add nothing to
what the Foreign Ninister had already told the rMjiis about the state of Iram?
Iraq relations. Press speculation included the surmise that the. Ambassador's
recallwas in Part a protest against Iraq's claim to Iranian ban-its:sr, in the
Shatt and that he would not be returning to Baghdad unless relations improved
perceptibly.
MR. SCIANDAJI's COMMITS
. . ,
On December 17 the reporting Officer called on lir. .?=anandaji, the Chief
of the kirst Political tivision, following the report in the press that
',Iran may cut relations with Iraqi' and after iihorramsbalar had been claimed by
an Iraqi foreign Office spokesman, who also criticized the Shah and Aram,
1:4nandaji's remarks are summarized below;
(1) Sanandaji denied. that Iran may sever ties with Iraq,
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?-kkOWE Pee? 50esp.e-00 333
with COUUDEILIMportions From: Aethassy Tehran
(2) He said that Ambassador Ardalan probably would not return and,
in this connection, added that maybe his brother in Dashineton
would be recalled and the Ardalan boy working in the Paet Directorate
would be fired.
(3) He reiterated that the, Iraqi Government through its Foreign Office
had issued ,a stateneet claiming -ameesmshahro attackine the Shah and
Aram, and accusing Iran of violating all sorts of things bathe
nett region.
(L) He renarked that the incidents occurring last week on the Shatt were
of a snore serious nature than previous ones, emphasizing that Iran's
patience was not unlimited. Iranians cannot, be killed without
strong', reaction from the Iranian Government, Even if there are smugelers
involved, Iraqis cannot take unilateral action aeainst Iranians.
Sanandaji emphasized that Iran wants the border set at the thalueg. Iran
has almost given up teateg to rot the Iraqis to ireolement Article 5
of the 1937 Treaty. In the past Van months they have asked the Iraqis
to impiceeent Article 5 at least ten times in formal notes to which
the Iraqis alweys answer that they are too busy with their internal
problems and do net have the tine note,
(6) He added that he had advised his Government to abrogate the Treaty
on the basis that the Iraqis have already done so. He believes Iran
should prepare for difficulties if they arise. He does not look for
precipitate action and assures us that, if it cons, it will not be
started by Irnnians. If the Iraqis are stupid enough to start some.
thing and cut off their sole port from the outside world, the
Iranians will be forced to answer force with force, He does not
predict that the Iraqis will, start serious shooting, but does not
overlook the possibility?
He commented that the only thine the Arabs understand is force, They
are ruthless in victory and humble in defeat, At the Suez they taught
the Persians how to block a waterway, In answer to the question,
he replied: flUe will sink a ship at the mouth of the .5hatton,
3anandaji reiterated that the Abadan refinery is not so important to
the Iranians, and they would forego its production, and make arrange+
ments to utilize other ports, e.g. 3andar Mashur. He also mentioned
that Iran could use other Iranian ports and the Iraqis had none other
than Basra.
(5)
He accused the Soviets and the British -of aiding and abetting the
Iraqis, He was particularly puzzled abut the British attitude in
Baghdad. Sanandaji was resentful of their taking Qassim's side in
this dispute and trying to maintain the status cleo in Iraq at the
expense of their Iranian allies,- The :'3oTiet4 he admitted, night
gain by an Ireneiraq altercation, but he reasoned that, if it
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? aicaa Pg., 64 Uesp9 Io v 383
wit4 COGFIDENTIAL portions From: AmEmbasay Tehran
remained a local dispute, there was nothing to fear. If not, then it
would be out of Iranian hands and in the United 'Lations. In this
event, the Iranians feel they have right on their side. ie wa picased
with the foreign press attitude on this disputes
ties
liammdaji disclosed that Aram seeinr: the shah that dc1/41r to discuss the
matter. He had advised Aram t tran shaald abrogate the Treaty of
1937. (17,ote: , Apparently Aram did not, baleVerg see the 6hah.)
(11) He sad that Iran wouLl happily revert to trying to get the Iraqis to
negotiate neacably on this question. Iranians want to avoid precipitate
actions bat how can these talks begin, he asked? He believes that time
is running out and in five or six weeks, tine the situation may be that
the Iraqis will start something. If anyone has any Ideas on how the
peacefla negotiations can be arra:redo Iran i8 ready to do its part*"
I can tell you informally we are ready to negotiate on the is of
Article 59 but are the Iraqis? That is the glestion."
TO liffiTaStAN
According to the press, at:spored brigade has been dispatehed to atosroabad
and the Iranian Uavy is on the alert.
According to tmbassy sources, however, the IA sent an artillery battalion
and antleaircraft battnlion, altogether numbering about a thousand pen which
has been sent to the area from Nermanshsh?
:=7 with CO1-11:11-C:TIV?, pert
.10.?
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eiggiCaiu-
with cornm;.;TIAL por lions
mOI! SIZEn
7, r.o0 383
crome clardbassy Tehran
CUTA.S.Hial
As the result of Premier gassim's statement, which is
reVieWed in detail in'Aram's Parliamentary reply, the Iranian
Government has reacted in an expected manner by retaliating
and expressing more strongly its views. A battle of words
SOOMS to have begun which makes negotiutions were they te
be held -- more difficulte', Tensions over this dispute have
boon definitely heighteneda, 'It is unfortunate that Premier
Qassim chose this time to express his concern because the
Iranian Government had apparently come to the decision not
actively to push its prpgram for an equal voice in the Shatti,
In fact, the leading "young Turk" behind the Iranian tovament?
the ebullient Yir. Sanandajli was almost on the point of refusing
an assignment to Basra, Iraq. and of resigning his post as
head of the division dealing With Arab affairs In the Foreign
Office, when Premier Qassim made his speech. As a consequence,
Nro Sanandajits stock has gone up appreciably: This is
primarily because of: (1) Mr:. Sanandajiis wel1.417newn, strong,
persistent pre-aranian stand', which the Government is now
forced to support; (2) the. fact that he is a fairly influential
person from a wel/known family; (3) .the fact that he is
Informed on the subject; and, (4) the. realization that, If the
Government were to force hlm out, it would be a repudiation
of its present stando
Nevertheless, the Unbbssj still believes that the
Iranian Government is anxious to settle thio* dispute in.. a
peaceful manner and wishes to. avoid precipitate action In the
l*stion of the Shatta/*Arab River:
The Iranian Government would welcome any suggestions in
this connection.;
The introduction of reinforcements into the arca
heightens the possibility that precipitate action ral6ht
occur even accidentally by some utriggeriphappy" soldier
or by a local commander without orders from Tehran,
The Ambassador feels that United Nations presentation
might embarrass the United States Government In 'Abet it would
be forced to tehe sides, or abstain, neither of which is an
attractive alternative for us,
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with C3 FWIAL pertions
TAispelfj0,333
Atanfivassy
.Tebrass
this connect env is -noted 'hero that one ofthe
possibilities mentioned In tho prose is to refer the case
to the International Arbitration Ccurt st The HaGue.
irn tu1s recardp the Ilmbassy notes that the Britidh
FetieiGn Office study entitled ,7Leca2 inplications of the
? Treaties Governing the Shatt?41.Artb" (Enclosure Noo 2
of London') s Despatch Ne. 20/42of Decent or 2, 19599 paragraph
9) notes that neither the. Iranians nor the Iraqis have
entered into an acceptance et-the compulsory jurisdiction
of the Court. This study also contains some pertinent .
thouLfhts recarding the presentation of this dispute to the
Tinited -.51ations 0 EUD ?
Fer
he Arbassadors
Enos tire Aramis ,-:,taternent
(uDicii#SSIPMD)
cc;
...cbert rig .'i6llott
coma secretary of Ibbacsy
DEPT PAM ACS.E. Dept. of Azov, Washington
?AmEthassy London
ritighciad
AraConsulates Basra
OR EicZrollshahr
Tabriz
?
Isfahan
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rt 10 rnel. 19 ?-eriao 383
+cra: Aratethassy Tehran
Honourable Gentlemen,
in view of the _fact that the Iraqi grime I;''?inister's statement bias
not been fully reported in the press, I shall first read the translation
of the full.W.xt of tle statement as sent by the Imperial Iranian Embassy
in 3aehdad. Here is the translation of the Iraqi Prism anister es
statement concerning the Shatt-al-Arab:
"060It is not possible for us to relinquish arce ratter or right
of ours. Shaald an event arise to neces.sitate a quarrel, a fight or
rivalry, sre shall strive far a peaceful solution. Ile have sufficient
naterial and moral strength at our disposal to maintain our
position as far as preserving our rights and strengthening the peaceful
solutions are concernedo
"Some may ask questions about the frontier problems between ourselves
and the friendly and neighbourly Goverment of Iran, Such problems do
arise between neighbours, Such quarrels and claims are settled on the
bases of peaceful principles. We shall not accept the intervention of
another govornernt between us. We shall not accept any other e,overment's
preesure on uso
ffin 1936 or 1937, during the g, overment of the late Mir aiddi and
his colleagues, Mama Sulaiman officially took over the revolutionary
government which folltesed the military coup d'etat. (At that time) the
Iraqi Governrznt was fiat ? 444ei heavy pressure, and because the situation
became complicated, it:gave five kilometers of the Slat...al.-Arab to our
neiehbair. Iran. This was a gift, not an acwired right*
? "The five kilometers facing Abadan was given only to be used by the
oil companies so that they may not pey. Iraqi taxes. Iraq 'awarded the
five kilometers to Iran when it was in a Complicated situation and under
pressure, Iran had no right in this connection. Iraq hoped that the
border issues would be settled, but neithertthese nor other issues have
been settled, If these issues are not settled in ftture, lixt shall not
remain committed to the award of these five kilometers and shall return
then to the tiotherlandon
? This was the translation of the etatesent and the claim of the
Iraqi Prim hanister.
Honorable Gentlemen,
This claim is so baseless and so contradictory with international law
and historical records that we need no reasoning or explanation to reject
it, Taevertheless, I take this opportunity to make a brief statement in
order to inform world public opinion of the truth of the matter and to show
how the Iraqi Prime Master has attempted to distort facts?
LTC ASST
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?? UliC o 20.1,7ne1. .19 .jespc, 383
From: Annnbassy Tehran
At tin beginning, I nust point out that du 1. the past three
centuries when the question of the Iran-Ottoman border had been the
subject of debate and dispute, the Iranian Government at no time was
prepared to give up even one iota of its rights over the Shat-al-Arab
both from a frontier demarcation and shipping point of view. Luring
these three centules that is, as long as the Ottoman Government was
our neighbour - four agreements were condluded on border disputes between
the government of Iran and the Ottonan Expire.
The first was concluded in labo (Arabic calendar); the second in
11591 the third in 1238 and the fourth in 1263. The last two agreements
came to be known as the first and second Erzerum Agreements. In neither
of these-was the question of Iran or Ottoman sovereignty over the annOnal-
Arabclarified because the question has always been subject to international
and universal laws and regulations and action has always been taken accord-
inninro
An interepting point is that even Sir Arnold Wilson -utowas the
_British representative in the 1913 Demarcation Commission composed of
- the representatives of Iran and the Ottoman Empire as well as the two
mediatory Powers, Britain and Eussia- says in his book entitled "Iran':
*The attitude adopted by the Iranian and?Ottonan
Governments from the beginning an ehipping, and perhaps much
earlier, on the Shatt-aleArdb, was that common sovereignty
.was exercised. in the ShattnalnArab to the point where both
balWof the river beceme Ottoman territory,? ? ?
You will note that the Ottoman Government had recennunithe common.
sovereignty of Iran over the 5hattnalnkrab. This practice continued
until the end of the. First World War. We all remember the events that
took place in this area during, the war. There is no need for explanation
or elaboration.
'nhen the situation arising from war conditions ended, things returned
to normalcy* order was establieted in Iran and tbe. Central Governurnt in
Iran took power into its own hands. Iran, in keeping with its overall
foreign polig7which was the creation and strengthening of friendly relations
with all its neighbours attempted to establish friendly and good-'neighbourly
relations with the newlencreated Government of Iraq.
Partiettlarlq, in 19350 when the question of the conclusion of the
Saadabad Treaty -Came to the fore, the two governments initially decided to
settle the demarcation problem which had confronted Iran and its neighbour
for several centuries. Of course, the Iranian Government considered the
demarcation- to be on the dividing line of the Shatt-alnrab river, as it -
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er_e, 39 hncle1e:eeee6333
lean: AmFria Tehran
had always done in accordenee with international orincipleso It insisted
on it0 finally after prolaneed and detailed talks, and in order to
? remove the dispute and thereby pave the road for the strengtheming of the
?tie of amity between the two natione, Iran aereed to sign the 2937 treaty, in
spite of the fact that the treaty did not protect all the legitimate rights
and interests of Iran and that it bias mare in the interest of Iraqo
? Thus, the statement of the Iraqi ?rime Mnister that they have auarded
part of Shatt-aleArab to Iran is not only utterly baseless but exactly
contrary to the facts becaueenaccording to international laps, the thalweg,
or the river-bed lineewhich has been recognized as the border opposite
Abadan should be recognized as the border line across the entire ohatt-aleArabo
Of course, in this treaty Vae eeual rights of Iran and Iraq in
? connection eith shippine and eanaemeet of the 5hatt-aluArki have been
most explicitly recognized in Article 4, uhich I shall read here:
"Article 4 . The following regulationa shall govern the
Shaft-al...Arab from the point there the borders of the two countries
reach the river to the point here it enters the Gulf:
a) The ohattealAparab shall be equally open to the merchant
ships of all countries. Al/ the receipts shall be considered
as commission dues and shall be - solely and justly spent on
the maintenance of the river shipping, the imeeovement of navigation
In the river and at the estuary and any other projects beneficial
to shipping.
The said dues shall be collected on the basis of the official
tonnage or displacement, or both, of the &ire,
? .
? b) The ;ibattealvArab shall be open to the uarships and other
nonemerchant ships of both sides,"
Article five, ehich I here quote, precisely regulates the exercise of
these equal rights;
"Article 5 w In view of the ommmon interests of 'the two
centracting parties in the shipping on the htattealeArab, As specified
in Article 4, they undertake to conclude an agreement concerning
the maintenance and improvement of shipping, dredging, navigation
lights, collection of dues, health measures and antis ling, as well
as All matters related to navigation on the ebettealeArab as specified
in Article 4on
In Article 2.of the protocol, Which is an integral part of the treaty,
it is provided that the agreement referred te in Article ?five -Should be cone
eluded within one year from the signature of the treaty. r
Ur4C1ArF:11EP
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Pg.? 4, P"aelo 19 Desp?383
lita971 I ED kzEmbasw Tehran
? GentImmen, we ohould no lctneer hide the facto. Twenty-two years
have me pawed since then. In spite of the repeated reminders and
insistence of the Imperial Government and the submission of a draft
agreement for the implementation of Article 5, the Iraqi C,ceernments
both at the time when we were pact-partners and afterwards have pro-
crastinated by resorting to excuses and unjustified reasons completely
contrary to the implicit provisions of the treaty. They have never
fulfilled their repeated promises of eending delegations to Iran to mttle
the ratter. They have kept the administration of the .-batt-a._.-Arab uni
laterally aid illegally In their hands.
The Iranian Government has settled all its border disputes with all its
ighbours, i0e0e the Soviet Union, Turkeys Afghanistan end Pakistan. Why
is it then that the protracted Lramaraq border problems have remained
unsolved for teentyetuo years in spite of the insistence and endeavours
of Iran? Is there anyone responsible for it except the Iraqi Governaent?
Uonourable Deputies, over 75 percent of the shipping in the !")hatt.al-
Arab is connected with Irenien porta. At present, the Iraqi authorities
charge each ship certain sums as various ales. The Iraqi Government
unilaterally collects these ems, which, in accordance eith the explicit
provisions of the treaty, should be spent with mutual agreement solely for
the maintenance and imrovement of shipping in the ShattealeArab, and
spends them on other matters which are in noway connected with Shatteal-
Arab shipping. According to -official fieures in the country's budget
for the 3.959 financial year, out of ID 1,395,500 revenue from the Shatt.
aleArdh, only ID 549,550 has been spent on the maintenance of the Shatteal-
Arab and the balance, ID 8450950, has been spent on other matters.
:Nantlemen, since Iran provides for more than 75 percent of the Shatt..
alyArab revenues, it is notlunfair for us to claim that Iran should have
the same proportion of river administration, aonetheless, to prove our
goodwill once again in this vital matter, we agreed to exercise only
our equal rights under the provisions of the treaty with Iraq, and to hand
over the administration of the 6hatt-ea1marth to a joint iramaraq board.
Unfortunately, in spite of all our good will, the Iraqi Government not only
has not agreed so far to respect the obvious rights of Iran, but e
especially since the establishment of the present regime - has daily
created new difficulties and obstacles in the ShattealeArab. Parallel with
these the Government has taken other unfriendly acts against Iran which
are outside the scope of this statement,
am indeed very sorry to note that this unfriendly attitude cones
from a Government which Iran was one of the first countries to recognize
and towards which Iran has sheen goodwill on many tines.
The world should know that the reason why Iran has, from the establish-
ment of the present government to this day, refrained from bringing any
?
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TAIL6.' PG. 5, 4nc1. LesPo 30
From: AmBnbassy Tehran
pre to bear upon Iraq in order to demand ito lesitinnte rights, has
been =IS because of its regard for its hietorical ties and friendship with .
the Iraqi people and because of the abnormal internal situation of Ir
But there is a limit to Iran's patience, The continuance of the
Iraqi Goverment's attitude - a regrettable emanele of which is the recent
statement of the Iraqi ?rime anister - will force us to reconsider our
policy and to take the steps we consider necessary in order to safeguard
our rights and interests. Beth the attitude of the Iraqi Gmernseet since
the conc3uoion of the treaty and the statement of the :?rime ninister of
the country are clear proof of their disregard of international coumitments
as well as the contravention of the treaty under discussion.
Centlemenv the Iraqi Prime Minister has also apoken of the principles of
international law in his illogical statement, I am happy about his reference
to the principles of international law because under these very lams the
practice in connection uith internati frontier rivers is to accept
ellS,her the centre line or the river bed line as the border, Nceshere in
the world is a navigable river betweentmcountries as large as Shatt-als
arab managed by one side which unilateral3y collects all the revenue,
It is indeed a source of astonishment and regret that a country which
Is a friend and a neighbour should collect and use as it wishes (Teat
revenues from this common river, then to have claims against the country
whose rights have been trampled upon and to talk of awards and grants.
Fortunately, there exiats the United Nations Organizatissai&ose
principles are observed by all; and which is considered by all the only
guarantee for continuation of peace and the prosperity of mankind, In the
face of this organization, is it not a source of utmost surprise and regret
that the bead of a friendly and neighbouring country should wake a statement
contrary to the principles of international law and to allude to armed
forces?
Honourable Oentlemen, I declare most 'explicitly in this sacred place
that the imperial Gonernment of Iran, as the Iraqi Uovernment has been
repeatedly reminded, has safeguarded and will safeguard all its right;
in the Zihett,eallarab and is determined to exercise them.
Moreover, Iran will strongly insist on an investigation of its past
claims, will take practical steps to gain its rights and will not all any
right of the Iranian nation to be trampled upon or lost. Once again, by
way of emphasis, / consider it necessary to point out that Iron will not
accept any border of the eihatt-valrArab as compatible with the principles of
,international las except the thalweg,
USICISeseFIED
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/25: CIA-RDP08001297R000600010065-6