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occurred. Representations were made to the Persian Government who, while
answering the charges, denied His Majesty’s Government’s right to speak on
behalf of Kuwait. All the dhows were alleged to have been engaged in smuggling
and no redress was obtained. Four further cases of interference by the Persians
with Kuwaiti dhows occurred between 1934 and 1937 and in 1938 special
instructions were issued by the Admiralty regarding the action to be taken by
His Majesty’s ships to protect vessels of the Arab shaikhdoms under British
protection if Persian warships or customs vessels attempted to interfere with
them.(34‘)
151. In 1946 Abdullah al Khaza’al, a son of the previous Shaikh of
Muhammerah, led an abortive raid from Iraq on Persian territory and took refuge
in Kuwait.(34T) The Ruler undertook responsibility for his good behaviour while in
Kuwait. For a time it was considered that his presence so near Persia was
dangerous and proposals were made to send him elsewhere and give him an
allowance, but these proposals were not approved. The Persian Government were
asked by His Majesty’s Embassy whether there was any objection to his returning
to Khuzistan and replied that he should apply to the Persian Consul at Basra.(34“)
He applied accordingly and in due course received permission to return.
Meanwhile, through the good offices of the Ruler, he had obtained employment
with the Kuwait Oil Company and, as he did not trust the Persian Government, he
did not avail himself of the permission accorded.(34*) He has since resided in Kuwait
and no objectionable activity on his part has come to notice. He has received
from the Persian authorities a share of the cash assets of his father’s estate but
not of the land.
152. In 1947 the Persians began to interfere again with Kuwaiti dhows, and
the Admiralty instructions of 1938 (paragraph 150 above) were reaffirmed.(330) On
representations being made to the Persians, they asked that the masters of the
dhows in question should refer direct to the Persian Naval Headquarters at
Khurramshahr so that their complaints might be investigated and the necessary
action taken.(331) The local political authorities were opposed to this course of
action as they thought it most unlikely that the masters would receive fair treatment.
A reply was sent to the Persian Government that masters who had business in
Khurramshahr would be advised to explain their grievances to the Persian naval
authorities there but that His Majesty’s Government could not agree that such
action should be regarded as an essential preliminary for the obtaining of redress.(333)
Further cases of interference with dhows from Kuwait and other Shaikhdoms
occurred and eventually, at the suggestion of His Majesty’s Ambassador at Teheran
and with the approval of His Majesty’s Government, the Senior Naval Officer,
Persian Gulf, discussed all the cases direct with the Persian Admiral at
Khurramshahr and in 1950 obtained the restitution of a substantial quantity of
arms and money, the bulk of which had been taken from Kuwait dhows.(333) Since
then no further cases of interference by the Persians with Kuwaiti dhows appear
to have been reported.
153. In 1949 the Persians erected a marker on Farsi Island which had been
claimed for Kuwait by His Majesty’s Government. It was removed by one of
His Majesty’s ships (paragraph 66 above).
154. In 1949 the Ruler, without consulting the local political authorities,
granted permission to Iranian Airways to use the Kuwait airfield(334)
(paragraphs 182 and 185 below).
155. There are many Persians in Kuwait. Those permanently resident have
mostly adopted Arab dress and are not easily distinguishable from the local Arabs.
Although there have been rumours from time to time of the presence of Tudeh
agents, the Persians in Kuwait have been law-abiding and have given little or no
trouble and their appears to be no Sunni-Shiah friction.
(J4‘) (E 6317/162/91 of 1938.) ,
(**r) Teheran to F.O. Despatch 28 of January 22. 1946 (E 1075/402/34 of 1946).
(3tM) Tel. from Teheran to F.O. 4 of January 14. 1947 (E 520/134/34 of 1947).
(*<*) I.O. to F.O. Ext. 2755 of December 5, 1947 (E 11601 /63/91 of 1947).
(ai0) F.O. to Teheran. Despatch 161 of July 3. 1947 (E 5579/66/91 of 1947).
(**') Teheran to F.O. Despatch 275 of July 30. 1947 (E 7138/66/91 of 1947).
(***) Teheran to F.O. Despatch 138 of April 20. 1949 (E 5191 /1023/91 of 1949).
(3Sa) P.R. to F.O. 59/10/50 of May 27. 1950 (EA 1398/1 of 1950).
(J14) P.R. to F.O. 20/32/49 of June 11. 1949 (W 3758/19/802 of 1949).