Coll 17/10(3) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎30r] (59/513)

ULtxjUw' rgjtiX , a? |
S t > ^^ ^ 1 . ^
a ^ J< — ®
£Thi8 Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government, and should be kept
[En clair]
under Lock and Kev.l
y -> With tho Complinfien'i
cf the
D ISTRIBUTION A. Secretary of St s 5 If.
air^
** * ■ # m «k
Prom: IRAQ
I 1 ’ROM BAGDAD TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Foreign Affa
lx
^ 1941
Sir K. Cornwallis
No t 279
April 4th, 1941.
Repeated to Cairo Nooll4.
Jerusalem No,55.
D. 8.40. p.m. 4th April, 1941.
R. 11.15. a.m._gth Ap^il, 1941.
i
"b h h h b b
IMPORTANT
r>
9
44)
My telegram No.278 (not repeated Jerusalem).
Regent’s proclamation,
[Begins]. Honourable Iraqi Nation. You are doubtless
aware of the regretable events caused by a small number of
Iraqi army officers two days ago, who unjustifiably
threatened His Excellency Taha Al Hashimi the Prime Minister
and obliged him to tender his resignation, without realising
that this resignation, could not be regarded as legitimate
unless approved by us by virtue of the provisions of the
organic law which is the mature outcome of the sacred Iraqi
rebirth and the symbol of the independence of country.
Regardless of the dire consequences those few individuals
have set on foot this reckless movement at a critical moment
which demands the co-operation of the people of the country
if danger is to be avoided. Brave Iraqi”Nation v heedless
of Iraqi public ooinion, Rashid Ali Al Gailani has set out to
seize power by instigating those rebellious elements who
have adopted falsehood as a weapon for their distortion of
the facts with a view to throwing dust in the eyes of the
people and showing themselves zealous for the interests of
the country. In fact they are nothing but an instrument in
the hands of foreigners who in order to enjoy the benefits of
the country seek the destruction of its independence. You
will of course realise that we are entrusted"v/ith the defence
of the constitution and we must therefore guard it to the
best of our ability, and should not allow any infringement of
it whatsoever. Accordingly I was obliged to leave the
capital after my residence had been surrounded by the
followers of Rashid Ali. That residence I feel sure is duly
respected by all true Iraqis. I would have liked to address
the nation earlier had I had the means to do so. I am
confident that in view of the natriotism of the Iraqi people
and its loyalty to the throne the nation will reject these
rebellious elements who have given themselves free rein and
have consistently exposed the security of the whole country
to danger. I desire therefore to remind you the generous
Iraqi Nation of the eloquent words addressed by my grandfather
the late King Hussein to the Iraqi delegates on the occasion
of the latter’s visit to him to ask for his approval of the
nomination of my late uncle His Majesty King Faisal 1st to the
Throne. On this occasion he said "I am prepared to agree to
the request of the delegates, but I hope tnat his/ate may not
be similar to that of his forefathers"Hussen". [Ends].
^ (XJ jv'c