Page 200 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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ensure that labour supplied by him gives a full return for
vpiiif* received, ensured this? on the other hand hi6 all
pervasive insistence that the activities of everyone in
Salalah, even in the smallest matters, must receive his

placet, kept the Assistant Political Agent constantly
engaged in his successful endeavours to secure it for the
manifold British and American operations. What cannot be
otherwise described than the Pan-American Airways invasion

of Salalah in the summer of the year temporarily shocked
the Sultan not only by it*s method but because of the
soraev/hat wild behaviour of the representatives of the

Company who were, without his consent, stationed at
Salalah. This impression has at least been partially
eradicated and, it is hoped, wholly compensated for by the
conclusion v/ith His Highness of a regular agreement for

the use of his aerodromes by the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Pan-American Airways no longer operate on the route.
The R.A.F. at Salalah are commanded from Aden, the

U.S. Army Air Transport Corps from Lagos. The Me war State
infantry are stationed at the aerodrome for its defence
and works are the responsibility of the Air Ministry P.Y/.D.

operating from Aden.
(iii) tYasirah. The aerodrome at Masirah Island is the
best of the three — and the worst situated. The island

has no governmental organisation, no anchorages, and no
water. The combination of the first two defects and the
apparent inability of anyone concerned to provide proper

unloading facilities allied with their conviction that the
local Bedouin uncontrolled by anyone could be relied upon
to unload -their material and not to steal it, led to a

state of affairs which culminated in a minor crisis when­
ever a ship arrived at Masirah. The Bedou refused to
unload until promised payment of fantastic sums; then he

made

i