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Ministry of Interior Special Office 1985 Ministry of Interior Special Office Citizen Name: - Qasidah Ali Muhammad File Number: - 257 Referred to the Municipal Administration on 6/15/85 And her commitment Confirmed in 819 on 7/2/85
IJA 2194
Correspondence from the Ministry of the Interior Regarding the Turkish Government and the British Embassy
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This is collected correspondence in a file folder from 1985 titled “Bulletin Condemning the Turkish Government's Policy with the Arabs”; the records themselves are from the early 1940s. They include a letter from the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior regarding flyers distributed in Mosul province condemning the Turkish government’s policy toward the Arabs and requests the Director of Mosul police to go after the distributors by mixing with students and reporting on them; a letter from the Directorate of Basrah to the Ministry of the Interior regarding the destruction of the logo sign of the British Embassy in Basrah by an Iranian individual assumed to have mental illness and sentenced to three months in prison; a letter from the British Embassy to the press attaché regarding pamphlets being sent to the office; a file folder from 1985 houses the records although the records themselves are from the early 1940s.
AI English Translation, Pages 1-25
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Ministry of ⟦...⟧ 56 D.G. British Propaganda I send herewith a note received by the Press Attaché to the British Embassy regarding the distribution of pamphlets, which matter I recently brought to your notice. I do not regard the matter as of extreme importance but you might think it worth while passing to the Deptt of Police ⟦AS⟧ 24/2/40 Seen S.H. M.H. ⟦...⟧ Directorate of Propaganda and Publishing The Director General of Police has reviewed it 2/28 2/17
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65 Special form for suggestions and observations Ministry of Interior Competent Branch: S . Kh Date: 1/4/41 Government Press 1197 - 9 - 40 Authority to whom it is submitted: M . W Subject: Publication The Mosul Police informed us of the discovery of a publication condemning the policy of the Turkish government towards the Arabs, and we have requested your opinion along with the opinion of the General Police and the measures taken to eliminate such movements And here is the Directorate of General Police explaining the measures taken by the Mosul District Police Directorate to track down those responsible for distributing the mentioned publication and to prevent the recurrence of such in the future. Submitted for your kind review and to be satisfied with that, please. p. 66 p. 64 Endorsement 4/1 Depend ⟦on that⟧, and we await the results of the pursuit of the ⟦workers⟧. Archive it ⟦illegible⟧ 4/2 ⟦illegible⟧ 4/3
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64 Ministry of Interior Directorate of General Police Division March 30, 1940 Baghdad 4/1 Number S 1895 Secret and Urgent Ministry of Interior of Iraq Private Office Number 2025 Date 31 / 3 / 41 To Ministry of Interior Subject - Finding a pamphlet in Mosul. On Reference to your letter No. P.O / 1057 dated 17 / 2 / 1941. (1) The Police Directorate of Mosul Liwa has taken the following measures at the time to track down those responsible for distributing this pamphlet and to prevent the recurrence of such movement:- a - A sufficient number of police personnel were assigned to monitor locations and shops where such pamphlets are likely to be posted. b - Due to the suspicion that this pamphlet originated from school students, some agents were appointed to mingle with the students and gather intelligence from them to reach the identity of the perpetrators. c - Doubling patrols and surveillance, especially in dark areas or those where traffic is low. (2) The ongoing investigations and inquiries have not yet reached the identity of the perpetrators and we will inform your ministry of what we find. ⟦signature⟧ A Director of General Police Copy to - Police Directorate of Mosul Liwa Reference to its letter No. 602 dated 13 / 3 / 1941. And we hope to redouble the efforts in tracking and investigating to identify the perpetrators and inform us of the result. Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Residency Reference to the mentioned letter. To take the necessary action on its part as well and inform us. 42 ⟦signature⟧
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Secret and Urgent 30 March 1940 4/1 S 1895 Ministry of the Interior Subject - Finding a leaflet in Mosul. Reference to your letter No. MKH / 1057 dated 17 / 2 / 1941. (1) The Mosul Liwa Police Directorate has taken the following measures at the time to track down those distributing this leaflet and to prevent the recurrence of such movement:- a - A sufficient number of police personnel were assigned to monitor locations and shops where such leaflets are likely to be posted. b - Due to the suspicion that this leaflet originated from school students, some confidential informants were appointed to mingle with the students and gather intelligence from them to reach knowledge of the perpetrators. c - Doubling patrols and surveillance, especially in dark areas or locations where traffic is low. (2) The ongoing searches and investigations have not yet led to identifying the perpetrators and we will provide your ministry with what we find. ⟦illegible⟧ Director General of Police Copy to:- Mosul Liwa Police Directorate Reference to its letter No. 602 dated 13 / 3 / 1941. And we request doubling the effort in tracking and searching to identify the perpetrators and inform us of the result. Criminal Investigation and Residency Directorate Reference to the aforementioned letter. To take the necessary action on its part as well and inform us.
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62 Iraq Ministry of Interior Special Office Baghdad Number / M.KH / 1266 Date: 4 / ⟦3⟧ / 1941 Secret - Reminder - Subject: Finding a pamphlet in Mosul To :- Directorate of General Police ⟦A⟧ We request a prompt response to the letter from this Ministry numbered M KH / 1057 dated 17 / 2 / 1941 regarding the subject explained in the margin. ⟦signature⟧ Minister of Interior ⟦MH⟧ T.H KH
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1360 / 1 / 20 1941 / 2 / 16 17 / M Kh / 1057 24 Secret and Very Urgent "The Special Office" Directorate of General Police Subject - Finding a leaflet in Mosul We send to you herewith a copy of the letter from the Governorate of Mosul Province numbered ⟦26⟧ S/15 and dated 12 / 2 / 1941 with its attached copy, and we hope you will take the necessary measures to eliminate such movements and inform us of the procedures you have taken or will take in this regard, accompanied by your observations. ⟦signature⟧ Minister of Interior A copy to the Governorate of Mosul Province - with reference to its letter above to take the necessary action to reveal the perpetrators in this case and provide us with the result. Confirmed ⟦signature⟧ 2/12 ⟦handwritten mark⟧
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Mosul Liwa Mutasarrifate Correspondence Secret Number: S/15 Date: 26 / 1 / 19 Corresponding to: 12 February / 941 Iraqi Ministry of Interior Private Office Number 1475 Date 15 / 2 To: Ministry of Interior Subject: Finding a leaflet We enclose herewith a copy of a leaflet found by the police in the Khazraj neighborhood in Mosul, in which its writer denounces the Turkish government's policy with the Arabs. We have seen in this attempt a poisonous agitation far removed from the truth, the interest of the nation, and chivalry. There is nothing in this Liwa that indicates a Turkish persistence in propaganda that does not agree with the safety of the nation, just as the position of the Turkish Consul and the neighboring Turkish authorities is of the noblest we could hope for. Therefore, we strongly exclude this behavior from anyone with chivalry or honorable feelings toward this country. We have taken great interest in investigating the mastermind of this act and the one who carried it out, and we will submit what we receive from the police about him. ⟦signature⟧ Mutasarrif of Mosul Liwa Copy to - Police Director His letter 314 and date 9 / 2 / 941 Please be informed and include it. ⟦signature⟧ 12 / 2 Write to the Intelligence Directorate as requested to identify these movements and inform us if the investigations have any person in this regard? ⟦signature⟧ 16 / 2 ⟦illegible⟧ To attach these papers to the specific case regarding the subject ⟦signature⟧ 12 / 2
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Caution, then caution Caution, O noble Arab people, from the propaganda carried out by Turkey in the Liwa of Mosul, that region. For here is the sycophantic and deceitful Turkish consul, whom we see frequenting some councils and mosques from time to time, flattering in order to win the hearts of the naive among the Arab people to his nation, which made you taste bitter torment during the days of its rule and tyranny, claiming that Turkey is the friend of the Arabs and Islam. No. No. It is the first of the Arabs' enemies, and it was the first to seek the annihilation of Arab nationalism and its replacement with Turkishness. I do not think you forget when their leaders led thousands of innocent Arab youths to the gallows or to their execution by firing squad without any guilt committed by their hands other than demanding their usurped rights. The Arab lands were in a worse state than the human mind can imagine during the days of Turkish rule; the country remained swimming in the darkness of ignorance, and diseases were rampant among them. The governors were despots in the land, and injustice was widespread; here are the rulers killing this one and exiling that one (And ask the people of the message if you do not know). Iraqis know that Iraq is linked with Turkey and Iran by the (Saadabad) Treaty, and according to this treaty, these countries are required to inform their allies if they enter into negotiations with other countries. A secret treaty was discovered signed between England and Turkey without the knowledge of the Iraqi government, and the Iraqi government requested to be informed of this treaty, but the Turkish government refused that. I wonder? - Why did Turkey refuse to inform Iraq of that treaty? - Therefore, behind the curtain a hidden finger is working against Iraq, and this treaty they called (Saadabad) is nothing but a distortion of facts. And here is their consul spreading their propaganda in Mosul. So, caution, all caution from these people, and every Arab with a living conscience must strive with all the power they have been given to work to thwart this false propaganda and make the public understand the danger of that bad intention, and to sacrifice everything precious and valuable for the sake of raising the word of Arab unity and Arabism.
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Basra Liwa Mutasarrifate Correspondence Please refer to the number of this letter and its date exactly when replying Iraqi Ministry of Interior ⟦illegible⟧ 4078 18/6/1940 Number: S 807 Folder Number: 518/3 Hijri Date: 7 Jumada al-Ula 1359 Gregorian Date: 12 June / 1940 Subject: Breaking the British State Emblem Secret Ministry of Interior 57 Further to our letter No. S/18/3/496 dated 23 April / 1940 the Police Directorate of our Liwa informed us in its letter No. S/1716 dated 8/6/940 regarding the referral of Hashim bin Muhammad the Iranian, accused of breaking the British State Emblem, to the Basra Criminal Court; the court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months according to articles 311 and 313 of the Baghdad Penal Code, as he had also been previously sentenced to ten days according to the Passports Law with his deportation outside of Iraq after completing his prison term. For information, we have initiated the presentation of the matter. ⟦signature⟧ Mutasarrif of Basra Liwa Adv. (thru A.A.) For information. K.I. 23/6 2.2 6/15 ⟦signature⟧ 6/16 Copy to - Basra Liwa Police Directorate, in reference to its aforementioned letter, and please inform us when he is released from prison and deported outside Iraq. Irani who broke the British Coat of Arms of the Basra Consulate sentenced to 3 months R.I., 10 days under Passport law & depn 24/6 Please be informed that its contents were reported and the telegram beside it 525 regarding the aforementioned person's act of breaking the emblem We addressed the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and General Administration and here they are notifying us of the court's judgment against him. Attention: Send a copy to Foreign Affairs, the Staff, and General Administration with notification, especially that the result of the medical examination on the mental state of the accused confirmed his health (595) ⟦illegible⟧ - came. ⟦signature⟧ 6/18
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59 A copy of the quoted paragraph from the secret letter of the Governor of Basra Brigade No. - and dated May 22, 1941, addressed to His Excellency Mr. Rashid Ali al-Kailani x x x And I can repeat at the end of my investigations a simple incident that supports this which is that on April 19, 1941, the person named Hashim bin Muhammad, of Iranian nationality, trespassed against the British State emblem located on the door of the British Consulate as previously presented in our letter 2/496/S dated April 22, 1941, and we believed that the mentioned person who performed this act was in an abnormal state of mental abnormality, however, the medical report proved the opposite, and it remains for the court to see regarding him x x x x Original on May 29, 1941
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19 Rabi' al-Awwal / 1359 27 April / 1940 Kh / 1755 58 Special Office – Secret – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defense Subject – Breaking of the British State Emblem. We send you herewith a copy of the letter from the Basra Liwa Administration No. S / 3 / 18 / 496 dated 23 / 4 / 1940 regarding the subject for your information, and we will provide you with what transpires in this case. Hakam 30 / 4 4 / 27 ⟦signature⟧ Acting Minister of Interior Copy with a copy of the attachment to:– Directorate of General Police M. D. File
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⟦illegible⟧ 27 April / 1940 M KH / 1755 The Special Office ⟦line⟧ Secret ⟦line⟧ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defense Subject - Breaking the emblem of the British State. We send you herewith a copy of the letter from the Basra Governorate Administration numbered S / 3 / 18 / 496 and dated 23 / 4 / 1940 regarding the subject for your information, and we will update you on what occurs in this case. ⟦illegible⟧ Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior 2 A copy with a copy of the attachment to:- General Police Directorate 305
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Copy of the letter from the Governor of Basra Province No. S/3/18/496 dated April 23, 1940 - Secret - Subject - Breaking the emblem of the British State Ministry of Interior It has become clear to us from the content of the report submitted to this Governorate by the Directorate of Provincial Police No. S/1195 dated 4/21/1940 that an unidentified person attempted to break the emblem of the British State, which was hanging on the gate of the British Consulate garden, using an axe he was carrying. Upon the arrival of the news to the local police and their follow-up and investigation, the perpetrator was found. After recording his statement and the statements of witnesses, the case files were referred to the Investigating Magistrate, who ordered his detention. It appeared from the course of the investigation that he is an Iranian national and had been working in restaurants as a servant for approximately 15 years. It was noted that he has a mental disability, and he was ordered to be sent to the hospital to conduct an examination on the degree of his mental faculties. Despite the depth of the investigation, nothing appeared to suggest that his action was incited by anyone. For your kind information, we have taken the initiative to present the matter. Governor of Basra Province
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57 Mutasarrifate of Basra Province Correspondence Ministry of Interior of Iraq ⟦Special Correspondence Office⟧ Number 2592 Date 4 / 4 / 1940 Please refer to the number of this correspondence and its exact date when replying Number S / 3 / 18 / 496 Hijri Date 14 Rabi' al-Awwal 1359 Gregorian Date 22 April / 1940 Secret Subject: Breaking the British State Emblem Ministry of Interior It has become clear to us from the content of the report submitted to this Mutasarrifate by the Directorate of Provincial Police numbered S/ 1195 and dated 21 / 4 / 1940 that an unidentified person has attempted to break the British State emblem which was hanging on the gate of the garden of the British Consulate with an axe he was carrying. Upon the local police receiving the news and carrying out pursuit and investigation, the perpetrator was found. After recording his statement and the statements of witnesses, the case files were forwarded to the Investigating Judge who ordered his detention. It appeared from the course of investigation that he is of Iranian nationality and has been working in restaurants as a servant for approximately 15 years. It was noted that there is a mental defect in his mind, and it was decided to send him to the hospital to conduct an examination on the degree of his mental faculties. Despite deep investigation with him, nothing appeared that calls for the belief that his undertaking of this act was by the incitement of anyone. For your kind information, we took the initiative to present the matter. Mutasarrif of Basra Province ⟦signature⟧ S. F. 4/22 Submitted for review ⟦signature⟧ 4/22 M. Th. Submitted for information. And a copy was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then the results of the case will be provided to us. 2. M 4/24 4/22 And the Second Department and the Propaganda Directorate ⟦signature⟧ 4/24 407 25
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Mutasarrifate of Basra Liwa Correspondence Please refer to the number of this correspondence and its date exactly when replying Number S/18/3/496 Hijri Date 14 Rabi' al-Awwal 1359 Gregorian Date 22 April / 1940 Secret Subject: Breaking the emblem of the British State Ministry of Interior It has become clear to us from the content of the report submitted to this Mutasarrifate by the Directorate of Police of the Liwa numbered S/1195 and dated 21 / 4 / 1940 that an unidentified person has attempted to break the emblem of the British State which was hanging on the gate of the garden of the British Consulate with an axe he was carrying. Upon the news reaching the local police and their undertaking of tracking and investigation, the perpetrator was found. After recording his statement and the statements of witnesses, the case files were forwarded to the Investigating Magistrate who ordered his detention. It appeared from the course of the investigation that he is of Iranian nationality and has been working in restaurants as a servant for approximately 15 years. It was noticed the presence of a mental disability in his mind, and it was decided to send him to the hospital to conduct an examination of the degree of his mental faculties. Despite deep investigation with him, nothing appeared to suggest that his undertaking of this act was by the instigation of anyone. For your kind information, we took the initiative to present the matter. ⟦signature⟧ Mutasarrif of Basra Liwa
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Translation COPY. pp To The Press Attaché, The British Embassy, Bagdad. I have received the pamphlet headed by a word from Chamberlain. It was torn up before it was read. "May injustic⟦e⟧ overcome the ecstacy of prapaganda!" In reply to the despatch of this pamphlet I may say that there is not a single Arab whose heart palpitate in love for Britain, and that there is nobody who prefers her to any other government in the world, not to mention that the Arabs prefer many other governments to Britain. For the sake of economy in paper and postage stamps, and in order to avoid the trouble of despatch, I advise you to stop sending your pamphlets. ⟦line⟧
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21 The Press Attaché at the British Embassy in Baghdad I received the study prepared regarding Chamberlain's speech, so I read before reading: (It is unjust to drop the sponsorship) To which I replied that there is no Arab whose heart beats with love for Britain and there is no one who prefers it over any government in the world, if they do not prefer many other governments over it. It lacks paper and postage stamps and the hardship of sending, if you would understand. ⟦line⟧
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8 FEB. 40 8.30 A.M. SOR. BAGHDAD 16 Administration for the Blind at the British Embassy Baghdad Baghdad ⟦line⟧ British Embassy House Baghdad 21 FEB. 40 9 - AM. DELY. BAGHDAD 35
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68 Iraq Ministry of Interior Baghdad - Reminder - Number /: M Kh / 4047 Dated: 10 Jumada al-Ula ⟦1360⟧ 5 June 1941 To :- Mosul Liwa Governorate Subject: Concerning the finding of a leaflet in Mosul 2 We request a prompt response to this Ministry's letter number M Kh / 1057 Dated 17 / 2 / 941 Regarding the subject explained in the margin. ⟦signature⟧ Minister of Interior Archived
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Secret 29 May 1941 6/2 S 2726 Ministry of Interior Subject - Leaflets. Reference to your letter No. 1057 dated 17 / 2 / 1941 Despite the continuous investigations and follow-ups by the Mosul Brigade Police, it was not possible to identify the perpetrator in the pasting and writing of these leaflets. ⟦signature⟧ For the Director General of Police
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69 Governorate of Mosul District The Editorials File Number / ⟦line⟧ Secret Number S/147 Date 18/5/360 Corresponding to June 12, 941 14 Ministry of Interior of Iraq Special Office Number 6722 Date 16 / 6 / 941 Ministry of Interior 11 / 5 / 61 Subject - Finding a leaflet in Mosul Reference to the communication ending with your letter MKH/4047 dated 5/6/941 Upon investigation, it was noted that the leaflet in question is of the students' making, and they are many; it is not easy to know its writer, though we are taking firm measures to put an end to such farces; ⟦signature⟧ Governor of Mosul District Copy to - Police Director In reference to his letter 1455 dated 10/6/941, we hope you will double the surveillance eyes and return to us the Ministry of Interior's letter No. 4047 dated 5/6/941 which you have not returned. I request 4 6 / 61 Please take note. This leaflet was during the time of the Hashimi Ministry and the General Police response about it at the time ⟦considers⟧ the case closed, please ⟦signature⟧ 13 / 6 M 2 6 / 16
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Governorate Mosul Province The Liberations File Number / ⟦line⟧ Secret Number S/147 Date 18/5/360 Corresponding to 12 June / 941 14 Ministry of Interior Subject - Finding a leaflet in Mosul Reference to the communication ending with your letter M Kh / 4047 dated 5/6/941 Upon investigation, it was noted that the leaflet under discussion is the work of students, and these are many, it is not easy to identify the writer; however, we are taking firm measures to put an end to such farces; ⟦signature⟧ Governor of Mosul Province Copy to - Police Director Referring to his letter 1455 dated 10/6/941, and we hope that you double the surveillance eyes and return to us the Ministry of Interior letter No. 4047 on 5/6/941 which you have not returned.
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Ministry of the Interior General Police Directorate Section " " 6/5/6 Secret Baghdad May 29, 1941 Number 6/2 / 2726 Ministry of Interior of Iraq Private Office Number 6210 Date 6/2/1941 To: Ministry of the Interior Subject -: Circulars. Reference to your letter No. 1057 dated 2/12/1941. Despite the continuous investigations and follow-ups by the Mosul police, it was not possible to identify the perpetrator of posting and writing these circulars. ⟦signature⟧ On behalf of the Director General of Police Referral 45 2/6 Submit to the Director ⟦signature⟧ 2/6 202 Kindly review. With reference to the summary p. 35 A copy is sent to the ⟦Directorate⟧ of Education for review and taking the necessary action regarding it, please. Emphasize following up on the subject ⟦...⟧ ⟦signature⟧ 2/6 ⟦signature⟧ 4/6 22 Saif 2/4
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