Page 362 - Records of Bahrain (6)_Neat

350 Records of Bahrain

Sheikh of Bahrain1a Request for assurance of

projection ngalnst agression.

1. The Sheikh of Buhruin 5'ocontly )asked for a v/rltten
assurance that *IIMG rogurd Bahrain as a state under their
protection and will guuruntoo it against agression and
"safoguurd the righto of the Sheikh's aubjecto". The
Sheikh had expressed concern in September lust at loud
voicing of Persiun claims to Bahrain in the press and In
rudlo broadcasts and his request arose out of this./The
Political Resident supports the Sheikh's request but
considers that in return for the assurance the Sheikh
should undertake to observe all existing engagements and
ulways employ a British Pinnnciul Adviser.
—»-----2. The 1061 Treaty between HMG and the Sheikh entitles
ittflIMP is also bound\tho latter to receive the support of HhIG in tthe
under the Treaty to/u,n,)in,:^^Q^CQ of the security of his possoaai6ns" aguinst
^forthwlth{take)the fuaggressions directed against them by the Chiefs and
necessary steps l tribes of this Gulf"^. Moreover,Bahrain is a British
to obtain renarutiaK10 Lucte^ state and therefore ha3 the sume title to
for evppv inlnrv :/^rol(3ct'ion ■L'ro,rt aggression as a colony or any other part
inflicted or in^ \Qi Hrltioh territory. 'The Sheikh therefore already
course of inflictiotfnj°ya Lhe uubstunce of the guarantee which he now seeks,
bv nra unon BnhrnAnl^ new undertaking in different terms from those of the
or denrndrnr 1 on J)Treaty will require to be published and is likely to
p —^-'''at tract critical attention to our position in the Persian
Gulf from Poroia,Russia,certain sections of ymiorican
opinion,the Arab League und possibly India. It might also
enable the Sheikh to claim that we were breaking a
treaty obligation if wu should bo obliged on grounds of
general policy to alloy/ the Persian claim to Bahrain to
go to the Hague Court.
It is therefore proposed merely to give the Sheikh
a letter saying that we stand by the 1861 Treaty which
y/c regurd as boing as valid now as v/hen signed. The
letter Y/ould not have to bo published as no new commit­
ment is involved. In return Y/e Y/ould sock the Sheikh's
: reaffirmation of existing engagements and promise alwuyo
to employ a British Advisor.

(T.K.Rogers)
8.2.1949.
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