Page 73 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol II_Neat
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              6.  The Rulers of Kuwait have always adopted a somewhat more independent
           attitude towards Her Majesty's Government than the Rulers of the other Gult
           Shaikhdoms. While showing themselves anxious to retain Her Majesty’s Govern­
           ment’s friendship and protection, without which they could not resist absorption
           by their more powerful neighbours, they have striven to reduce interference by
           Her Majesty’s Government in their internal affairs to a minimum. Their people
           arc infused with more local national and general Arab feeling than the inhabitants
           of the other Gulf Shaikhdoms and owing to their proximity to Iraq arc more in
           touch with movements in the Arab world. This tendency has been further
           increased by the recent influx into Kuwait of many Egyptians, Lebanese, Syrians
           and Levantines generally.

              7.  The compiler of the Historical Summary of Events for 1907-28C0) rated
           Kuwait after Bahrain and Muscat in importance With the discovery of oil in
           its territory in large quantities and the consequent enormous increase in its revenues
           the position has entirely changed and in 1953 the views of Her Majesty’s
           Goverment were stated as follows: —
                  “ During the last three years Kuwait has become of prime importance
              to the United Kingdom and to the sterling area as a whole. It is now a major
              source of oil supplies and an important element in our balance of payments.
              The expenditure of its large sterling revenue unless properly directed is capable
              of inflicting the most serious damage on the sterling area. Her Majesty’s
              Government can no longer afford to confine themselves to the role authorised
              by the treaties and agreements in force and sanctioned by usage but must also
              interest themselves in all matters which affect the political and economic
              stability of Kuwait or which may affect the interests of the United Kingdom
              in the widest sense.’V)
              8.  A Political Agent directly subordinate to the Political Resident was first
           appointed to Kuwait in 1904. It was not until 1949 that the appointment of an
           Assistant to the Political Agent was sanctioned as a permanent measure, and since
           then the Agency Staff has been further increased. In 1953 the post of Political
           Agent was upgraded and it was decided that on matters which traditionally fell
          within the responsibility of the Political Resident and on matters common to the
           Persian Gulf States as a whole the Political Agent should continue to receive
           instructions from the Political Resident and to report to him but that on matters
           relating to the internal affairs of Kuwait and particularly to its administration,
           finance, development and security he should receive instructions from and report
           to the Foreign Office, copies of the correspondence being sent to the Political
           Resident. This however was not to detract from the latter’s responsibility for
           furthering the policies of Her Majesty’s Government in Kuwait and in the Persian
          Gulf as a whole and the Political Agent was to remain under his general
          supervision.^3)
              9.  Instructions were issued to the Political Resident who was newly
          appointed in 1953 in the following terms:—“The subjects on which advice has
          traditionally been tendered to the ruler must now be expanded. In particular: —
               (i)  It is of the highest importance that the policy of the ruler both in internal
                    and external matters should at all times be in harmony with the
                    interests of Her Majesty’s Government.
               (ii)  Discussions may be held with and, where appropriate, advice tendered
                    to the ruler or his officials on all matters which may directly or
                    indirectly involve the interests of Her Majesty’s Government, in Kuwait
                    or elsewhere.
              (iii)  Matters covered by (ii) above include specifically—
                    (a)  the creation in Kuwait of sound and effective administration;
                    (b)  the terms of employment of British advisers and other British
                          personnel;
                    (c)  the introduction of a proper financial system;
                    id) the development programme for Kuwait;

              (,n) Para. 51 at p. 85, P.G. 13.
              (") F.O. to P.R. Despatch 125 (EA 1053/8) of July 24. 1953.
              (,3) F.O. to P.R. Despatch 125 (EA 1053/8) of July 24. 1953.
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