IOR/L/PS/10/781/2

This part primarily contains correspondence, telegrams, memoranda and reports regarding the political and social situation in Kurdistan between 1918 and 1920.

The part includes and covers the following:

• Administration of occupied territory in Mosul Vilayet
• Conversations regarding the Franco-British Accord of 1916 [Sykes-Picot Agreement]
• Descriptions of Kurdistan
• A petition from the Committee of Kurdish Independence, with letters written by Secretary-General Sureya Beotir Khan [Thurayyah Badr Khān, also written in the text as Gureya Bechir Khan]
• Kurdish arguments regarding independence, and territorial disputes with Armenia
• Letters from the Kurdish population of Diarbekir [Diyarbakır] and Erzeroum [Erzurum] to represent their opinions regarding Armenian rule, and concerns over the future of the territory, addressed to the Turkish Government
• Mentions of disorder in Kurdistan
• Suggestions for reconciling Kurdish and Armenian claims to territories and governance
• A suggestion from a British officer regarding the possible governments to administer the area of Kurdistan and Turkey
• British relations with Kurdistan before and after the Armistice
• Coverage of an inter-departmental conference on Middle Eastern affairs
• Mentions of the military occupation of Syria and Cilicia [Çukurova].

In addition, the part includes a memorandum in French by Abdulkadir Ubeydullah [‘Abd al-Qādir ‘Ubayd Allāh] of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan League describing Kurdistan’s history (ff 447-459).

The principal correspondents are: Civil Commissioner, Baghdad; British High Commission, Constantinople [Istanbul]; Political Officer, Mosul; French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Egyptian Expeditionary Force; Committee of Kurdish Independence; War Office.