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Chapter Nine

would be withdrawn. On the eighth anniversary of his accession, 16
December 1969, the Ruler of Bahrain, in a move to forestall increasing
pressure from educated Bahrainis, promised to reorganise the
government, giving the people a greater part to play in the country’s
affairs.57 On 19 January 1970 the new cabinet (called Council of State)
was announced, and of its twelve members only five were members of
the ruling family.50 While still pledging its support for the Feder­
ation, Bahrain consolidated its administrative structure, and pre-
paralions were made in case the Federation of the nine did not come
about in time.50 In the Spring of 1970 it was expected that Bahrain
would declare its independence during that year and that it was
already applying for membership of the Arab League and the United
Nations. Kuwait established a Government Office in Bahrain which
would pave the way for an exchange of diplomatic representation.
After the report of May 1970 by the UN Secretary’s special envoy to
Bahrain00 became public stating that the people were “virtually
unanimous in wanting a fully independent sovereign state” and after
the threat of Iranian annexation of Bahrain was removed, an almost
festive atmosphere reigned throughout the Gulf area.61 After con­
gratulations and deep sighs of relief the issue of the federation of the
nine was tackled with renewed enthusiasm.
Perhaps influenced by Bahrain’s progress, Qatar on 2 March 1970
promulgated a provisional constitution. In several of its seventy-
seven articles reference is made to the "Union of Arab Emirates".62 In
both, this document and in the law dealing with the Determination of
the Powers of Ministers and the Function of Ministries and other
Government Organs,03 the sovereign rights of the State of Qatar vis-a-
vis the Union are emphasised. Such references clearly indicated that
Qatar envisaged a confederation rather than a progressively more
integrated Union. On 29 May the Ruler nominated the seven
members of Qatar’s first cabinet, three of whom were not from the
ruling family.

Half-hearted revival of the federation of nine emirates

The June 1970 meeting of Deputy Rulers
While Bahrain and Qatar were engaged in consolidating their
government apparatus, bilateral consultations and regional state
visits continued, and the revival of the Iranian claim to the small Gulf
islands of Abu Musa and the two Tunbs made headlines. During the

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