NO COMPROMISE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1941, Page 6

NO COMPROMISE

OVER BRITAIN’S RIGHTS IN IRAQ STATEMENT BY MR EDEN IN COMMONS. FRIENDLY COUNSEL TO ARABS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) RUGBY. May G. Referring to Iraq in his speech in the House of Commons on the war Situation, the Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Eden) said the trouble there was of great concern to Turkey and Britain. The unconstitutional action of Raschid Ali had largely led once to his fall. When later he seized power again, Britain could not see how this or any other event in Iraq should deprive her of her intention to land troops at Basra and open up lines of communication through Iraq in accordance with the terms of the treaty. "Nothing,” Mr Eden said, “can excuse the action of the Iraq military leaders in first accepting and then challenging our clear treaty rights. This country has a record of which it has no need to be ashamed in its dealings with the Arab peoples, and above all with Iraq. It was we who ensured the independence of modern Iraq. It is we who assisted her and in every respect kept our word. I do not propose now to describe in detail the events of the last few days, but only to make plain to the world our present position. We are very grateful for the offer of good offices by Turkey and Egypt. Cur position is as follows—the first requisite is the withdrawal of the Iraq troops from Habbania and a cessation of hostilities against his Majesty’s forces in Iraq. When this has been done and fighting between the allied nations in consequence has ceased. Britain is prepared to discuss the fulfilment of her treaty rights, which she must make plain she is in all circumstances determined to maintain. One word of friendly counsel to our Arab friends in all lands—no people have mere reason io fear an Axis victory than those who dwell in Arab lands.”