سياسي (خارجي) ٢٠٦٨/١٩٤١(٢) "التمرد في العراق: - ١٩٤١." [و‎‎٤‎٠] (٢٢٢/٨١)

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From: IRAQ
FRO!,! BAG-DAD TO FOREIGN OFFICE
T
Sir K, Cornwallis D e L>55 p c m.-50th Septembcjv 1941
No,1116
l J9tn September, 1941 R. 2,10 a.m, 1st October, 1941
Repeated to Cairo No,>457,
{ O ,^'o. Telegram No. 194 from Cairo,
Nuri does not seem to realise that he himself is
unpopular and [ grp. undec. ? in any way] discredit to Iraq,
I agreed to his being approached with misgiving and am not
sorry that he has refused to co-operate with Ibrahim Kemal.
Though circumstances may necessitate his recall, it would
be^better for him to remain away for the present. He would
evidently like the Premiership but general opinion here is
strongly opposed to the idea.
2. Ibrahim Kcmal is far the best candidate for the
Premiership from our point of view. He has promised me that
i he would reorganise education (with Hamley if available),
clean up the army and proceed vigorously against Rashid Ali
and followers and against fifth columnists. I believe that
he would co-operate fully with us in other ways. He has,
however ? a bad manner and is not personally popular.
Regent is asking him to form Cabinet but it is still
unknown whether he can do so. Factor which is militating
against his chance of success is that Iraqi politicians,
while ready when out of power to criticise everything and
everyone, shrink from joining a man whom they know will
follow a strong policy,
5.^ Except for Ibrahim Kcmal there is no-one capable
of filling the office adequately and if he fails Regent will
promptly have to fall back on tho present Minister for
Fpreign Affairs or,ask the present Prime Minister to reform
his Cabinet, In either case we could expect friendly co
operation but there would be [ grp. undec, ? no] really
serious attempt to reorganise administration of the army or
to deal with fifth columnists. Government in fact remains
in the present rut.
RECd. POL. CEPt.
3 >CI 941
i D!A OFFICE