Coll 5/84(4) ‘Middle East Summaries from Ministry of Civil Aviation’ [‎10r] (20/107)

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CIV.961;.
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SECRET.
TRz'J'JS - J ORDi iN.
111. There is nothing further to report. ^
I RAC.
112. On 7th December, 1946, the Iraqi Government made formal application for the
appointment of a British national as Director of meteorological Services in
Iraq. The Air Ministry accordingly made the necessary arrangements to recruit.
Against this, however, it is to be noted that the Ear East Technical Survey
Party which visited Baghdad en route reported that the D.C.^. Iraq had sent
forward for approval the name of an Iraqi, ^bdui Jabbar Abdullah, and had
suggested that the British Meteorologist should be an adviser. This
unsatisfactory alternative has since been ruled out. Arrangements for the
appointment of a British Director are nearing completion.
113. Iraqi airways have made representations to 'Turkey for the operation of an
air service between Baghdad and ^nkara and were reported, towards the end of
February, to be on the point of sending a British member of their staff to make
the necessary arrangements with the Turks. The Turks intimated, however, that
they would like the Iraqis to send a "deputation" to discuss it. The Iraqis
are in the process of appointing a Committee to appoint the deputation.- The
Manager of Iraqi Airways has expressed a fear that at this rate it will be
several months before the service actually opens.
Iraqi Airways at present provide the following services:- •
Baghdad - Damascus - Beirut
Baghdad - Lydda - Cairo
Baghdad - Mosul
Baghdad - Basra
(Twice weekly)
(Twice weekly)
(Weekly)
(Twice daily)
114. The negotiations for a bilateral agreement between Iraq and the U.o.A.
appear to be progressing favourably. In a letter dated 15th February, 194/4
Foreign Office inf or'seed the American Embassy in London that last September H.M.G.
had expressed the hope that Iraq would conclude a bilateral agreement on the
Bermuda model. They added that those representations might have been of
assistance to the U.S. negotiators since recent information from Baghdad indicated
that it was expected that P.A..,. and T.W.A. would shortly receive permission to
operate through Ira j, "under the same conditions as they enjoy under the
F. ..-Lebanon civil ain agreement" - i.e. under Bermuda conditions. Paragraph 79
of liiddlo East 6 reiP 's.
SUDAN.
115. Plans for the improvement of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. oeidna aerodrome to take Tudor II's,
including the "carpeting" of the runways by the aid of the Barber Greene
apparatus, are still under active consideration. It is to be noted, however,
that in view of the airfield’s uncertain future, any developments will need
further specific approval.
116. The development of a site for an aerodrome at Gmdurvaan is still in an
exploratory stage.
117. A report from the-Governor-General indicates that Sudanese Aerodrome
Officers are being posted to Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Haifa and Juba to deal with trunic route aircraft.
This would obviate the necessity of posting B.O.A.C. .air Traffic Controllers at
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