[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6315-H6317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ANGLO-IRAQI TREATY OF 1930

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the reports out of Iraq these days make 
2008 sound an awful lot like 1930. That's when the British strong-armed 
a so-called treaty to take control of Iraq's oil wealth. And it 
remained that way for decades until the people in the Middle East 
nationalized their oil wealth to end outside control. But western oil 
interests and the neocons have wanted it back ever since.
  War Secretary Donald Rumsfeld may have said that invading Iraq had 
nothing to do with oil, but the announcement that western oil companies 
would get what they have lusted for says otherwise.
  And editorial cartoonist Rob Tornoe of politicker.com summed up the 
world view the other day in a cartoon displayed right here next to me. 
He spoke truth to power with one compelling image. He says all at once 
that this entire war, its tragic casualties and immense cost, was all 
about oil.
  As so many suspected all along, Secretary of State Rice tried to 
claim that the U.S. Government played no role whatsoever in securing 
sweetheart oil deals for Iraq's sweet crude oil. But the New York Times 
reported in a front page story, ``A group of American advisers led by a 
small State Department team played an integral part in drawing up 
contracts between the Iraq Government and five major western oil 
companies.''
  The immense oil reserves beneath Iraq are the world's second largest, 
and western oil companies want them, just as they did 78 years ago. And 
like 1930, they plan to permanently occupy Iraq. To remove any doubt 
from the minds of the American people, I would like to enter into the 
Record the entire Angelo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930.
  Let's look at Article 5. It says that maintaining order inside Iraq 
is the primary responsibility of the Iraq Government. But then it 
immediately says that Iraq recognizes and accepts Britain's role inside 
Iraq and grants Britain the right to build air bases and maintain 
military forces inside Iraq.
  That is exactly what the President and this administration has been 
saying all along.
  The President has made it clear he wants the U.S. to stay in Iraq 
permanently. In 1930, they didn't call it occupation, they called it a 
treaty. And they are doing it all over again.
  Here's another example. The Angelo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930 addresses 
immunity for British forces and unlimited rights to bases and troop 
movements. And this administration is doing the same thing. People like 
Jonathan Schwartz on the Web site democrats.com, Internet sites like 
After Downing Street and newspapers like the Independent have all 
examined the 1930 document and compared it to current proposals. They 
conclude the date is different and it is now the U.S. instead of the 
British Empire.
  Seventy-eight years later, the West is again trying to assume control 
of the Middle East under the guise of protecting them from themselves. 
In 2003, Donald Rumsfeld addressed U.S. troops in Baghdad and said, 
``Unlike other armies in the world, you come not to conquer, not to 
occupy, but to liberate.''
  In 1917, British General Stanley Maude, addressing Iraqis in Baghdad, 
said, ``Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as 
conquerors, but as liberators.'' The only new thing this administration 
added was that our soldiers would be greeted by flowers. We know that 
was not true, just as we know the entire basis for the U.S.-led 
invasion of Iraq was not true.
  When the Prime Minister of Iraq the other day said that he wants a 
timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces, the President said no, he 
wants Americans in Iraq indefinitely.
  The calendar may say 2008, but this administration is acting like 
it's 1930 all over again. A journalist has just summed it up in a 
cartoon. There lies Saddam, and the new statue will be the logos of our 
five favorite oil companies.
  If we ignore the lessons of history, we are doomed to repeat the 
mistakes of history.

                     The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930

       Treaty of Alliance between His Majesty in respect of the 
     United Kingdom and His Majesty the King of Iraq. Signed at 
     Baghdad, June 30, 1930.
       His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the 
     British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and His 
     Majesty the King of Iraq, whereas they desire to consolidate 
     the friendship and to maintain and perpetuate the relations 
     of good understanding between their respective countries; and 
     Whereas His Britannic Majesty undertook in the Treaty of 
     Alliance signed at Baghdad on the thirteenth day of January, 
     one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six of the Christian 
     Era, corresponding to the twenty-eighth day of Jamadi-al-
     Ukhra, one thousand three hundred and forty-four, Hijrah, 
     that he would take into active consideration at successive 
     intervals of four years the question whether it was possible 
     for him to press for the admission of Iraq into the League of 
     Nations; and
       Whereas His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of 
     Great Britain and Northern Ireland informed the Iraq 
     Government without qualification or proviso on the fourteenth 
     day of September, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine 
     that they were prepared to support the candidature of Iraq 
     for admission to the League of Nations in the year one 
     thousand nine hundred and thirty-two and announced to the 
     Council of the League on the fourth day of November, one 
     thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine, that this was their 
     intention; and
       Whereas the mandatory responsibilities accepted by His 
     Britannic Majesty in respect of Iraq will automatically 
     terminate upon the admission of Iraq to the League of 
     Nations; and whereas His Britannic Majesty and His Majesty 
     the King of Iraq consider that the relations which will 
     subsist between them as independent sovereigns should be 
     defined by the conclusion of a Treaty of Alliance and Amity:
       Have agreed to conclude a new Treaty for this purpose on 
     terms of complete freedom, equality and independence which 
     will become operative upon the entry of Iraq into the League 
     of Nations, and have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries:
       His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland, and the 
     British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, for 
     Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir 
     Francis Henry Humphrys, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal 
     Victorian Order, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished 
     Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of 
     the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Companion of 
     the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, High 
     Commissioner of His Britannic Majesty in Iraq; and
       His Majesty the King of Iraq: General Nuri Pasha al SA'ID, 
     Order of the Nadha, Second Class, Order of the Istiqlal, 
     Second Class, Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of 
     Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion of the 
     Distinguished Service Order, Prime Minister of the Iraq 
     Government and Minister for Foreign Affairs; Who having 
     communicated their full powers, found in due form, have 
     agreed as follows:


                               Article 1

       There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between His 
     Britannic Majesty and His Majesty the King of Iraq.

[[Page H6316]]

       There shall be established between the High Contracting 
     Parties a close alliance in consecration of their friendship, 
     their cordial understanding and their good relations, and 
     there shall be full and frank consultation between them in 
     all matters of foreign policy which may affect their common 
     interests.
       Each of the High Contracting Parties undertakes not to 
     adopt in foreign countries an attitude which is inconsistent 
     with the alliance or might create difficulties for the other 
     party thereto.


                               Article 2

       Each High Contracting Party will be represented at the 
     Court of the other High Contracting Party by a diplomatic 
     representative duly accredited.


                               Article 3

       Should any dispute between Iraq and a third State produce a 
     situation which involves the risk of a rupture with that 
     State, the High Contracting Parties will concert together 
     with a view to the settlement of the said dispute by peaceful 
     means in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant of 
     the League of Nations and of any other international 
     obligation which may be applicable to the case.


                               Article 4

       Should, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 above, 
     either of the High Contracting Parties become engaged in war, 
     the other High Contracting Party will, subject always to the 
     provisions of Article 9 below, immediately come to his aid in 
     the capacity of an ally. In the event of an imminent menace 
     of war the High Contracting Parties will immediately concert 
     together the necessary measures of defence. The aid of His 
     Majesty the King of Iraq in the event of war or the imminent 
     menace of war will consist in furnishing to His Britannic 
     Majesty on Iraq territory all facilities and assistance in 
     his power including the use of railways, rivers, ports, 
     aerodromes and means of communication.


                               Article 5

       It is understood between the High Contracting Parties that 
     responsibility for the maintenance of internal order in Iraq 
     and, subject to the provisions of Article 4 above, for the 
     defence of Iraq from external aggression rests with His 
     Majesty the King of Iraq. Nevertheless His Majesty the King 
     of Iraq recognises that the permanent maintenance and 
     protection in all circumstances of the essential 
     communications of His Britannic Majesty is in the common 
     interest of the High Contracting Parties.
       For this purpose and in order to facilitate the discharge 
     of the obligations of His Britannic Majesty under Article 4 
     above, His Majesty the King of Iraq undertakes to grant to 
     His Britannic Majesty for the duration of the Alliance sites 
     for air bases to be selected by His Britannic Majesty at or 
     in the vicinity of Basra and for an air base to be selected 
     by His Britannic Majesty to the west of the Euphrates. His 
     Majesty the King of Iraq further authorises His Britannic 
     Majesty to maintain forces upon Iraq territory at the above 
     localities in accordance with the provisions of the Annexure 
     of this Treaty on the understanding that the presence of 
     those forces shall not constitute in any manner an 
     occupation and will in no way prejudice the sovereign 
     rights of Iraq.


                               Article 6

       The Annexure hereto shall be regarded as an integral part 
     of the present Treaty.


                               Article 7

       This Treaty shall replace the Treaties of Alliance signed 
     at Baghdad on the tenth day of October, one thousand nine 
     hundred and twenty-two of the Christian Era 1, corresponding 
     to the nineteenth day of Safar, one thousand three hundred 
     and forty-one, Hijrah, and on the thirteenth day of January, 
     one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, of the Christian 
     Era 2, corresponding to the twenty-eighth day of Jamadi-al-
     Ukhra, one thousand three hundred and forty-four, Hijrah, and 
     the subsidiary agreements thereto, which shall cease to have 
     effect upon the entry into force of this Treaty. It shall be 
     executed in duplicate, in the English and Arabic languages, 
     of which the former shall be regarded as the authoritative 
     version.


                               Article 8

       The High Contracting Parties recognise that, upon the entry 
     into force of this Treaty, all responsibilities devolving 
     under the Treaties and Agreements referred to in Article 7 
     hereof upon His Britannic Majesty in respect of Iraq will, in 
     so far as His Britannic Majesty is concerned, then 
     automatically and completely come to an end, and that such 
     responsibilities, in so far as they continue at all, will 
     devolve upon His Majesty the King of Iraq alone.
       It is also recognised that all responsibilities devolving 
     upon His Britannic Majesty in respect of Iraq under any other 
     international instrument, in so far as they continue at all, 
     should similarly devolve upon His Majesty the King of Iraq 
     alone, and the High Contracting Parties shall immediately 
     take such steps as may be necessary to secure the 
     transference to His Majesty the King of Iraq of these 
     responsibilities.


                               Article 9

       Nothing in the present Treaty is intended to or shall in 
     any way prejudice the rights and obligations which devolve, 
     or may devolve, upon either of the High Contracting Parties 
     under the Covenant of the League of Nations or the Treaty for 
     the Renunciation of War signed at Paris on the twenty-seventh 
     day of August, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.


                               Article 10

       Should any difference arise relative to the application or 
     the interpretation of this Treaty and should the High 
     Contracting Parties fail to settle such difference by direct 
     negotiation, then it shall be dealt with in accordance with 
     the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations.


                               Article 11

       This Treaty shall be ratified and ratifications shall be 
     exchanged as soon as possible. Thereafter it shall come into 
     force as soon as Iraq has been admitted to membership of the 
     League of Nations. The present Treaty shall remain in 
     force for a period of twenty-five years from the date of 
     its coming into force. At any time after twenty years from 
     the date of the coming into force of this Treaty, the High 
     Contracting Parties will, at the request of either of 
     them, conclude a new Treaty which shall provide for the 
     continued maintenance and protection in all circumstances 
     of the essential communications of His Britannic Majesty. 
     In case of disagreement in this matter the difference will 
     be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations. In 
     faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed 
     the present Treaty and have affixed thereto their seals. 
     Done at Baghdad in duplicate this thirtieth day of June, 
     One thousand nine hundred and thirty, of the Christian 
     Era, corresponding to the fourth day of Safar, One 
     thousand three hundred and forty-nine, Hijrah.

     (L. S.) F. H. Humphrys.
     (L. S.) Noury Said.

                     Annexure to Treaty of Alliance

       1. The strength of the forces maintained in Iraq by His 
     Britannic Majesty in accordance with the terms of Article 5 
     of this Treaty shall be determined by His Britannic Majesty 
     from time to time after consultation with His Majesty the 
     King of Iraq. His Britannic Majesty shall maintain forces at 
     Hinaidi for a period of five years after the entry into force 
     of this Treaty in order to enable His Majesty the King of 
     Iraq to organise the necessary forces to replace them. By the 
     expiration of that period the said forces of His Britannic 
     Majesty shall have been withdrawn from Hinaidi. It shall be 
     also open to His Britannic Majesty to maintain forces at 
     Mosul for a maximum period of five years from the entry into 
     force of this Treaty. Thereafter it shall be open to His 
     Britannic Majesty to station his forces in the localities 
     mentioned in Article 5 of this Treaty, and His Majesty the 
     King of Iraq will grant to His Britannic Majesty for the 
     duration of the Alliance leases of the necessary sites for 
     the accommodation of the forces of His Britannic Majesty in 
     those localities.
       2. Subject to any modifications which the two High 
     Contracting Parties may agree to introduce in the future, the 
     immunities and privileges in jurisdictional and fiscal 
     matters, including freedom from taxation, enjoyed by the 
     British forces in Iraq will continue to extend to the forces 
     referred to in Clause 1 above and to such of His Britannic 
     Majesty's forces of all arms as may be in Iraq in pursuance 
     of the present Treaty and its annexure or otherwise by 
     agreement between the High Contracting Parties, and the 
     existing provisions of any local legislation affecting the 
     armed forces of His Britannic Majesty in Iraq shall also 
     continue. The Iraq Government will take the necessary steps 
     to ensure that the altered conditions will not render the 
     position of the British forces as regards immunities and 
     privileges in any way less favourable than that enjoyed by 
     them at the date of the entry into force of this Treaty.
       3. His Majesty the King of Iraq agrees to provide all 
     possible facilities for the movement, training and 
     maintenance of the forces referred to in Clause 1 above and 
     to accord to those forces the same facilities for the use of 
     wireless telegraphy as those enjoyed by them at the date of 
     the entry into force of the present Treaty.
       4. His Majesty the King of Iraq undertakes to provide at 
     the request and at the expense of His Britannic Majesty and 
     upon such conditions as may be agreed between the High 
     Contracting Parties special guards from his own forces for 
     the protection of such air bases as may, in accordance with 
     the provisions of this Treaty, be occupied by the forces of 
     His Britannic Majesty, and to secure the enactment of such 
     legislation as may be necessary for the fulfilment of the 
     conditions referred to above.
       5. His Britannic Majesty undertakes to grant whenever they 
     may be required by His Majesty the King of Iraq all possible 
     facilities in the following matters, the cost of which will 
     be met by His Majesty the King of Iraq. 1. Naval, military 
     and aeronautical instruction of Iraqi officers in the United 
     Kingdom. 2. The provision of arms, ammunition, equipment, 
     ships and aeroplanes of the latest available pattern for the 
     forces of His Majesty the King of Iraq. 3. The provision of 
     British naval, military and air force officers to serve in an 
     advisory capacity with the forces of His Majesty the King of 
     Iraq.
       6. In view of the desirability of identity in training and 
     methods between the Iraq and British armies, His Majesty the 
     King of Iraq undertakes that, should he deem it necessary to 
     have recourse to foreign military instructors, these shall be 
     chosen from amongst British subjects. He further undertakes 
     that any personnel of his forces that may be sent

[[Page H6317]]

     abroad for military training will be sent to military 
     schools, colleges and training centres in the territories of 
     His Britannic Majesty, provided that this shall not prevent 
     him from sending to any other country such personnel as 
     cannot be received in the said institutions and training 
     centres. He further undertakes that the armament and 
     essential equipment of his forces shall not differ in type 
     from those of the forces of His Britannic Majesty.
       7. His Majesty the King of Iraq agrees to afford, when 
     requested to do so by His Britannic Majesty, all possible 
     facilities for the movement of the forces of His Britannic 
     Majesty of all arms in transit across Iraq and for the 
     transport and storage of all supplies and equipment that may 
     be required by these forces during their passage across Iraq. 
     These facilities shall cover the use of the roads, railways, 
     waterways, ports and aerodromes of Iraq, and His Britannic 
     Majesty's ships shall have general permission to visit the 
     Shatt-al-Arab on the understanding that His Majesty the King 
     of Iraq is given prior notification of visits to Iraq ports.

     F.H.H.
     N.S.

                          ____________________