Iran and the league of Nations

Nilufar Kasra

 

Preceding to the first world war of 1914-1918, the world has never experienced such a destructive war. The sever shock of war devastations led the superpowers to think of a system to secure and maintain the world peace.

 

The British and the Americans gave special support to this idea, and Americans in the second year of the war proposed to form a "union for the reinforcement of peace".

 

After the war, the deputies of 32 countries were gathered in Geneva in January 18th 1919 to establish an international organization as a world parliament. In June 9^th 1919, a committee including the members of participant countries in Versailles Peace conference decided to pave the ground to found the League of Nations. In March 28th 1919, the Versailles Peace Treaty was concluded by the participant countries and in fact this was the official date for the formation of League of Nations.

 

Meanwhile Iran's attitude towards the League of Nations was to claim its rights. To do this the government sent a delegation headed by a veteran diplomat, minister for foreign affairs, Moshaver-ol-mamalek Ansari and the head of supreme court, Mohammad Ali Forouqi (Zoka-ol-molk), and Hossein Moeen-ol-Vozareh. However, the British government objected to the presence of the Iranian delegation on the ground that only the countries engaged in war might attend it.

 

Despite the British objection, Iran's government approved of the foundation of League of nations and it was the first Moslem country to participate in its sessions. Aliqoli Khan Nabil-od-dowleh, Iran's charge d'ffair in Washington attended its two first sessions. Iranian delegation including Amir Zaka-od-dowleh Qaffari, Habibollah Shahab, Dr. Jalil Khan, headed by Arfa-od-dowleh participated in the first general assembley of the League of Nations in 1920 where it brought up the following points:

 

1- Iran's Grievances against the Soviet Union

The new Soviet forces still engaged in civil war, had occupied Anzali port on an excuse that white Russians supported by the British had fled to Anzali, therefore they encroached on the Iranian territory.

 

2- Control of Weapon Trade

According to Saint German Treaty Iran could not engage in any trade of arms independently. Iran objected strongly to this and other treaties which restricted Iran in arms trade, and eventually made its exit from the treaty.

 

3- Bahrein's Question

An agreement between Sultan Abdol Aziz ibn Massoud (the Hejaz king) and the British government in May 20^th 20th 1927 referred to Bahrein as an independent territory. Iran's objection to the League of Nations had no result, and in May 18^th 1970 the two countries delimited their borders

 

4- Drug's control

When the League of Nations was formed, Iran was the greatest producer of opium after China, and the life of many farmers depended to its production. The production of opium was limited under the control of the League of Nations.

 

The Border Disputes of Iran and Iraq

These disputer were related to the claims on Arvandrud to which Arzrum Treaty paid enough attention to settle it. But it was of no use. Eventually, the League of Nations proposed "The Half Point" for Arvandrud.

 

Despite Iran's presence in many international conferences before the foundation of league of Nations, which were mainly held in 19^th century, Iran's participation in this League was our first experience in an international organization. This league existed until the outbreak of the second world war and following that it was replaced by the United Nations.