The Bay of Plenty Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1948 CHECKMATE TO RUSSIA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14573, 17 January 1948, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1948 CHECKMATE TO RUSSIA

Among' nations as among individuals a friend in need is a friend indeed. At first thought a new treaty with such a small country as Iraq mav not appear to have much significance, but to have an ally so strategically placed in the Middle East is tor Britain and the Empire an added insurance against whatever difficulties or dangers the future may held. Britain's withdrawal from India and from Greece, her impending withdrawal from Palestine, and the internecine warfare which is at present rending both the latter countries, Russia s obvious anxiety to obtain a foothold in Persia, and the suggestion that the Soviet is not entirely unconnected with the struggle in Kashmir, all tend to show how precarious is the balance between peace and war at the present time. Since the end of the Second World War a gigantic game of international chess has been . in progress. Some of the moves—at any rate most of those on the Central European side of the board—have gone to Russia. The re-establishment on a firm basis of friendship with, what is predominantly an Arab country, is a virtual checkmate to Russia in the Middle East.

The conclusion of the new treaty is all the more pleasing m view of the circumstances which have prevailed in Iraq oyer the last thirty years. When the mandate was granted to Britain in 1920, following the defeat of Turkey in the first World War. the Arab and Kurdish people were promised "administrations deriving their authority from the initiative and free choice of the indigenous populations."' For various reasons the fulfilment of this promise was deferred, and as a result, a rebellion broke out, following a demand for independence and a union with Syria. The rebellion was suppressed, but as a result of the outbreak the people of Iraq gained a share in the administration of their own country. A state of unrest continued for some years', and peace was only maintained by the presence of British troops. The first treaty between Britain and the new state of Iraq was concluded in 1922. In 1930 a further treaty was signed at Baghdad. Among other things each cf the two countries undertook to support the other in time of war. Although, following the death of King Peisal in 1933, relations were at times strained (partly as a result of the activities of German agents), friendship was maintained and Iraq came into the war on the side of the Allies. The renewal of the undertaking first mutually given" eighteen years ago shows that, in spite of past misunderstandings, the bonds of friendship between these two independent countries are stronger today than they ever were.