History repeating itself

By Imad Khadduri (Free Iraq)

"From my friend Jonathan Schwarz:
"Imad
You may have seen that Iraqis are comparing the US-Iraqi "agreement" now under negotiation to the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930.

And if you read that earlier agreement, you'll see they're clearly right to do so -- the treaty is uncannily close to what Bush has been pushing for. I guess there are only so many ways to set up colonial fiefdoms.Interestingly, before now the actual treaty text existed in only one place online -- a pdf in an obscure corner of the UN website. I had to ask Glen Rangwala to track it down."

The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930 by Jonathan Schwarz on June 22, 2008
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Extracts:

"His Majesty the King of 'Iraq...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 5)"
"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 4)"
"The strength of the forces maintained in 'Iraq by His Britannic Majesty...shall be determined by His Britannic Majesty from time to time after consultation with His Majesty the King of 'Iraq...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. (Annexure 1)"
"[T]he 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... (Annexure 2)""