European countries known Basra for the first time during the first half of the seventeenth century, the Portuguese transfer their business and their enthusiasm to preach to Basra after the fall of the island of Hormuz in 1622 and established a commercial agency.
The documents say the French Foreign Ministry that the roots of French relations with Basra dating back to 1623 when it became the consignment Carmelite missionary who lives in the city of Basra under the protection of the French government and the little Italian traveler Pietro Delaval P. Della Valle, who visited Basra in 1624: "After that ended Carmelites fathers built their church attended by Ali Pasha and Basra itself to in the next day to visit her."
The Lorimer, in the first part of the book: "The Gulf Directory" he was limited to the French trade in textiles in Basra in the twenties of the seventeenth century. As parents Akarmlian recall Vnchor and Spastiyanj who visited Basra in 1656: The prince Hussein Pasha Al Afrasiab was seen look friendship and respect to the Carmelite Fathers and meet their demands and treat them as friends.
In 1664 the French explorer Carre Caree visited Basra for a reconnaissance mission for the French East India Company. In 1669 the latter sent the first French ship "pepper and indigo" to Basra. The Vrur was able envoy company of substantial profits and was able to get from the governor of Basra on the same privileges granted to the Englishmen and the Dutch.
Then growing French interest in Iraq in the last quarter of the seventeenth century when France appointed President of the Carmelite Monastery Betty Delacroix Petit de la Croix consul in Basra in 1674. Based on this decision has eleven father of Alkramlh duties consul in duration "1674 - 1739". So management has remained the French consulate in Basra in the hands of the clergy until 1739, when the French government has appointed Pieardo Matil Pierre de Martinville as the first consul in Basra, in order to oversee the business there. And was one of the main objectives set consuls clerics in Basra is to protect the Carmelite community of Ottoman prosecute local authorities and make them safe from the intrigues and variables that get in Basra, as well as their work in the development of the French commercial interests.
The Seven Years' War "1756 - 1763" to show the importance of Iraq for the French, Marine leaders have realized Alverlancih French rulers islands in the Indian Ocean the importance of the port of Basra, and they sent their reports to their government, trying to draw its attention to the importance of Iraq's economic and strategic.
Has played Jean Baatst Rousseau, who was appointed consul in Basra in 1780 an active role in the life of Basra, Baghdad and enjoyed great prestige in Basra and Recipient Pasha of Baghdad. But despite his efforts and his attempts to convince the French government should enter into competition process against the English in Basra, and send gifts to VIPs in Basra and Baghdad, the French government did nothing did not take the initiative to take action governor until the French Revolution in 1789.
It is noted researcher through the study of documents French The main objective of the establishment of consuls French in Basra is to work on the development of trade, French and protection missions religious and increase the influence of France's political and cultural, and monitor political activities and business in Iraq and has areas other Gulf. |