ABSTRACT
The creation of such a powerful planning body was without precedent in those countries still aligned to the Western world, as Iraq was before its revolution. Instead there has been an earnest attempt to discover planning methods which are best suited to Iraqi conditions, rather than trying to conform with either Western or Soviet planning models. In terms of cost-effectiveness Soviet influence has almost always been secured for a much lower price than that of the United States or its Western allies. Whereas other supporters of Qasim, then, had only scant knowledge of economic affairs and planning techniques, there were Communists who could offer their expertise. Moreover, Soviet and East German advisers were brought into Egypt's Planning Ministry in the early 1960s, and there is little doubt that Iraq's new planners came into contact with these advisers, as well as Ali Sabry supporters within the Ministry and Institute of National Planning.
