Page 319 - UAE Truncal States

Chapter Eight

This so called Exclusive Agreement integrated the Trucial States
into the screen of semi-independent Slates and principalities which
was created right across the British Indian Empire’s northern
frontiers and western seaboards and along its vital communication
lines with Europe. It was designed to impede the progress into any of
these areas of the rival powers France, Russia, and the German-
Turkish alliance of interests.*10 For the sheikhdoms in the Gulf this
agreement made it virtually impossible to conduct their own affairs
with outside powers or even with their Arab neighbours, such as the
Wahhabi Stale, without the close scrutiny of the British authorities.
Thus the British Government secured enough exclusive influence
and practical political leverage over these shaikhdoms without
formally making them protectorates.47 During the first decades of the
20lh century this predominantly political and military leverage48 was
turned to economic advantages. In 1911 the Trucial Shaikhs pledged
not to give concessions for pearling and sponge-fishing without
consulting the Political Resident.49 Practical matters such as safe­
guarding the telephone cable across the Musandam Peninsula and
the construction of a lighthouse on Tunb Island were also regulated
by agreements.

5 British anticipation of economic benefits

Move to exclude non-British economic interests
By the time the First World War broke out, the prime objectives of the
"cordon-sanitaire" policy of the British Government with regard to
the Arab principalities in the Gulf had been achieved. Formal treaties
and undertakings as much as informal political tutelage had made
it impossible for these principalities to respond to any diplomatic
overtures from the Turkish and German enemies or from any other
rivals to the British position. This, in turn, also secured the British
military objectives by preventing the establishment of foreign bases.
Even the economic benefits which could be derived from these
shaikhdoms, though they were considered to be meagre enough in
the case of the Trucial Stales, were put securely out of the reach of
any outsiders and made almost inaccessible even for British
subjects.50
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