The Real Middle East
The statement made by Nuri Pasha, the Prime Minister of Iraq, to Mr. Arthur Merton, the Special Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at Baghdad, and published in Tuesday's issue of that paper, is reassuring. To begin with, Mr. Merton, who has knoWn Nun Pasha for twenty years and more, is impressed by his physical energy and vigour. In the second place, the Premier's declaration of his intentions is precisely what we should desire it to be. Affirming that Vichy had supported the administration of his treacherous predecessor, Rashid Ali, he has requested the Vichy Minister at Baghdad to leave. For the same reason he has- taken the same course with the Japanese Minister. The army has been discreetly purged and pro-Nazi teachers in Iraqi schools have been dismissed. The strategic importance of Iraq and Persia is such that sincere and un- reserved co-operation by the Governments of both countries with Britain and Russia is essential if Nazi plans regarding those regions are to be foiled. The situation in Iraq appears to be good and improving, but news of a satisfactory outcome of the negotiations with the Persian Government for a treaty of alliance would be welcome. It is seven weeks and more since. Mr. Churchill spoke hopefully of the treaty as immediately impend- ing, and it would be reassuring to know that it had been actually signed. Improvement of the ports, roads and railways of Persia to admit of the transport of increasing supplies for Russia is proceeding rapidly, and in' this the Persians are to all appear. ance collaborating actively and harmoniously, but a treaty is needed to put the relations between Persia, Britain and Russia on a permanent and satisfactory footing.
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