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TO BE KEPT UNDERLOCK & KEY,

requested that special ca o may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

Сс

62

272

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANEIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

SECRE T.

C.O.S. (41) 62.

30TH JANUARY, 1941.

COPY NO. 33

This document was considered at ço.5. (~) 37 Meeting.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

IRAQ.

Note by Secretary.

At the Meeting of the Chiefs of Staff last night 29th January, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs drew attention to the situation in Iraq, which was, he stated, going from bad to worse. During the discussion mention was made of the possibility of making an air demonstration over Iraq territory and of landing a force at Basra.

2.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has asked that the Chiefs of Staff would be good enough to examine this question as a matter of urgency and to consider what, in fact, it would be possible to do with land and air forces to bring the Iraq Government to heel and when it would be possible for any action proposed to be taken.

3. It is suggested that the Chiefs of Staff may wish to discuss this question at the Meeting tomorrow Friday, the 31st January. Representatives of the Foreign Office will be available to attend the discussion on this item.

(Signed) L.C. HOLLIS,

Great George Street, S.W.1.

30TH JANUARY, 1941.

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