QR codeQR code

Iran and the league of Nations

2 Jul 2014 - 8:59

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...


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 Genevain January 18th 1919 to establish an international organization as a world parliament. In June 9th 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 ofLeague of Nations.
 
MeanwhileIran's attitude towards theLeague of Nationswas 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 ofLeague of nationsand it was the first Moslem country to participate in its sessions. Aliqoli Khan Nabil-od-dowleh,Iran's charge d'ffair inWashingtonattended 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 theLeague of Nationsin 1920 where it brought up the following points:
 
1-Iran's Grievances against theSoviet 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 TreatyIrancould not engage in any trade of arms independently.Iranobjected strongly to this and other treaties which restrictedIranin arms trade, and eventually made its exit from the treaty.
 
3- Bahrein's Question
An agreement between Sultan Abdol Aziz ibn Massoud (the Hejazking) and the British government in May 20th 20th 1927 referred to Bahrein as an independent territory. Iran's objection to the League of Nations had no result, and in May 18th 1970 the two countries delimited their borders
 
4- Drug's control
When the League of Nations was formed,Iranwas the greatest producer of opium afterChina, and the life of many farmers depended to its production. The production of opium was limited under the control of theLeague of Nations.
 
The Border Disputes ofIranandIraq
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, theLeague of Nationsproposed "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 19th 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.


Story Code: 1540

News Link :
https://www.iichs.ir/en/news/1540/iran-and-the-league-of-nations

IICHS
  https://www.iichs.ir