Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-05
Iraqi Leader
Hints al Pact
Withdrawal
Friendship Above
Bughdod Terms,
Kossem Declares


BAGHDAD. Aug. S Dr.
The head Of the new govern
ment of the new republic Of
Iraq in his first public state
ment on the Baghdad pact
gave strong indication yester-
day his regime is leaning
toward withdrawal from the
Western-sponsored alliance.
Brig. Gen. Abdul Karin
Kassem, who led the revolt
that dethroned and killed King
Faisal, said in an interview his
government is giving careful
study to the pact which United
Arab Republic President Mas
ser and the Soviet Union SO
often have assailed.
"The most important thing
in this matter is friendship be-
tween Iraq and other states,
Gen. Kassem declared. This
friendship is above any kind
of pact or treaty"
The alliance with Britain,
Iran, Pakistan and Turkey
was drawn up by q few people
here in Iraq." the new premier
continued.
Friendly Settlement
Though we have studied it
up till now we have been un-
able to get from those con-
nected with the administration
of the. pact any details about
the pact's function because
these details we're consideteo
secret and are still secret tC
U.S." Gen. Kassem went on.
I'VE are studying. and then
we will make our decision. But
the decision won't be an
nounced without previous con-
tact with other members. We
want everything to be settled
in a friendly manner"
Gen. Kassem said he under
stood one purpose of the Bagh-
dad pact was to help Iraq de-
fend itself but indicated he felt
such a special defense treaty
was unnecessary.
I'VE are a full member Of the
United Nations" he said, land
as such we are sure that oul
security is taken into consid-
Grafton by other members Of
the United Nations, among
whom are those who compose
the Baghdad pact"
No Nasser Interference
Gen. Kassem asserted there
would be no interference by
Col. Nasser in Iraqi affairs
Instead, he declared, the atti-
tude between himself ana Col
Nassef. between Iraq and the
JAR is one of brotherly CO.
operation.
Nor will Iraq interfere in the
affairs of neighboring Jordan
Gen. Kassem continued. But
he said he thinks a plebiscitt
should be held in Jordan to de-
termine whether the people
who alone have the right tt
determine everything about
Jordan"-want King HuSseir
to keep his throne.
The premier reiterated his
governments oft proclaimed
desire to keep Iraqi oil flowing
to Western Europe, in Iraq':
Interest as we'll as Europe's.
His government had re.
stored diplomatic relations
with Russia. he added, because
1t feels it has the same right
to such relations as Britain
and the United States have.
Pledges Free Elections
Gen. Kassem promised free
elections after the present
TRANSITION period to create
self-confldence in the people
and realize immediate reforms.
"Then a plebiscite will be
held for a permanent consti-
tuition and after that we hope
we will be able to have free
elections shortly" he said with
out setting a timetable.
Gen. Kassem was interviewed
after his first balcony speech
to a crowd of 1000 in front Of
his headquarters in the Defense
Ministry. The widely enthus-
iastic crowd included Kurd;
and Arabs, sheikhs and theil
followers, students. representa-
tives of the Basrah Workers
Union and a delegation fol
the defense of the rights OF