1981 Another Neutral Zone gone

49. Saudi Arabia-Iraq Neutral Zone (8Z4) The Saudi-Arabia-Iraq Neutral Zone was a disputed area between two Middle East countries Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The Neutral Zone did not belong to one of the two nations. Occupying by soldiers was prohebited but Nomads were free to use the meadows ans springs of the area. A treaty about this NeutralZone was signed in 1938 by both countries The first treaty, the contract of Koramshar, about borders was signed between Great Brittain (who had power over the mandate area of Iraq) and Sultan Nadjid was signed on May 5, 1922. This contract got never in operation. On December 2, 1922 (Protocol of Uqair) the borders of the Neutral Zone were established. Saudi-Arabia and Iraq A provisional agreement about the Neutral Zone was signed in 1975. The agreement was followed by a treaty, signed on December 28, 1981. In 1983 the treaty was submitted to the United Nation ratified by an East-West diagonalfrom corner to corner. For unkonown reason, this treaty was not submitted to the United Nations or any other country. During the Golfwar of 1990-1991, Iraq canceled all internationa treaties with Saudi Arabia since 1968. Reaction from Sauti Arabia was to register all border treaties with Iraq, including the treaty of 1981. All countries, including Iraq and Saudi Arabia do now accept the disappearance of the Neutral Zone and accept the striaght borderline. Letter from HZ3TYQ to HZ1HZ Vic, HZ3TYQ wrote a letter to the minister of Communication of saudi Arabia, Mr Ahmed Zaidan, and asked for permission to transmit from the Neutral Zone. Ahmed, who was also a fanatic DXer and holder of the call HZ1HZ, gave of course his permission. Vic was 4 dags QRV from the Saudi-Arabia-Iraq Neutral Zone using the call HZ3TYQ/8Z4. His log shows 1340 QSOs with 71 Entities. To get to de neutral Zone Vic had to travel 240 Kilometers across camel trails.