The July 23 Revolution and pacts (23), Pact expanded i- UK. As was expected, and in spite of Egyptian and Arab outrage, the Turco-Iraqi alliance was soon to expand. The Egyptian Gazette of March 31, 1955 reported that Britain had joined the pact. Headlined: UK joins Baghdad pact The Gazette report said: “Britain has decided to accede to the Turkey-Iraqi pact signed in Baghdad on February 24, Sir Anthony Eden announced in the House of Commons today. “Sir Anthony said that ‘at the same time, Britain proposed to conclude a special agreement with the Iraq for mutual co-operation. The texts of these documents have been agreed with the government of Iraq and were initialed in Baghdad this morning, he said. “It has been our aim to forge an association with Iraq that would bring our relations into line with those which already exist with Turkey and our other partners in NATO. “The agreement which we have now reached with the Iraqi government carried out that aim. It is based on the concept of co-operation between two equal partners, which it has been our purpose to establish generally in our relations with the Middle East countries. “Sir Anthony continued: ‘The central theme of the new agreement is that there shall be close collaboration between the Armed Forces of the two countries. There are going to be joint planning and exercises in peacetime so that if ever there were to be an aggression against Iraq, we would be in an effective position to support her. “We shall advise and give technical assistance in establishing an air defence organisation, including a radar warning and aircraft reporting system…..' With the signing of the Baghdad pact, Britain handed over its two air-bases in Iraq to national authorities. During its short career in the alliance, Iraq was the strongest regional participant, and even served as the chief protagonist of a Western alliance in the HYPERLINK "http://i-cias.com/e.o/arabs.htm" Arab world. [email protected]
