Evening star., 1952-11-25
Political Turmoil in Iroo

Overthrow Of the Iraqi government, with q
military administration emerging from the vio-
lence is in keeping with the pattern of political
turmoil which is affecting the Near East.
Syria and Egypt followed this course pre-
cisely. Iran went through it in the coup which
brought General Razmara-later assaSsinated-
to the premiership. The Lebanon and Jordan
have approached it in political upheaval without
the military denouement. Actually, the military
aspect appears to be more result Of circum-
stance than of deliberate planning, the circum-
stance being that when the political explosion
occurs only a military leader ordinarily COM
mands sufficiently disciplined force to take
control and restore order.
Most Of the Near Eastern countries are
suffering from the same basic troubles Their
social and economic structures are badly out Of
balance and have been perpetuated in this state
by feudalistic governments. Resentment against
Western economic domination has been long
standing and has been encouraged by Commu-
mist propaganda. Defeat in the Arab-Israel war
left the Arab countries with collective inferi-
ority complex and suspicion of American mo-
tiveS. Subsequent American policies that have
been considered pro-BritiSh or pro-French as
against Arab interests have deepened this sus-
picion. In this temper, but historically fearful
of Russian designs, the mass of Near Eastern
populations have inclined toward neutralism in
the EastWest conflict.
All of these symptoms are found in the Iraqi
political illness The explosion point, however,
is centered on the purely domestic issue of gem
eral elections, due by statute before next Febru-
ary q but for which date has not yet been SET
Since last July, when veteran pro-British Prime
Minister Nuri Said resigned, caretaker govern
ment has been in power. Charged with setting
up the election machinery, this government had
decreed it should follow the usual indirect system
OF primary in which electors are chosen, these
in turn to be vested with the task of naming
delegates to the new Parliament. With five par
ties in the f1eld-the Communist Party is OUT
1awed-all except Nuri Saids Constitutional
Union Party had recorded their opposition to the
indirect election system and had threatened to
boycott the voting. Their combined opposition
forced the caretaker government to resign, and
the hiatus gave opportunity for the violence
which followed during the week end. ,
General Nur Mahmoud, who has now taken
over the government has been the army chief
of staff. AS in the case of the Cairo riots last
January, the police were either unable unwl-
ing to enforce the order and the Iraqi Regent
called upon the military to do the job. The army
succeeded, as was the case in Egypt, after Gen.
eral Mahmoud had decreed martial law. His next
action was to order dissolution of all political
parties and to set up new cabinet in which he
holds the posts of Prime Minister, Minister Of
Defense and Minister of Interior. He assigned
the other cabinet Offices to civilian non-party
men.
General Mahmoud has never been openly
active in politics and it is not yet known whether
he will continue in political role indefinitely or
only until he feels he can safely hand the respon-
sibility back to professional hands. In both Syria
and Egypt the military regimes have carried on;
the same course may prove necessary in Iraq At
the moment, at least it appears the only hope for
a period Of stability which is essential for that
country, as it has been for its neighbors.