Page 120 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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Queen’s Regulation. It is unlikely that it will be possible to issue such a Regulation
until agreement has been reached with the Saudis regarding the exercise of
jurisdiction in the Zone. Proposals have been formulated on the subject but not
yet presented to the Saudis (paragraph 41 above). Meanwhile no case appears to
have arisen which would call for the exercise in the Zone of the jurisdiction ceded
to Her Majesty by the Ruler.
(b) Facilities for the Royal Air Force
173. Kuwait was visited by the Royal Air Force from time to time from
1920 onwards and on occasions up to and including 1928 they assisted in the
defence of Kuwait against raiders.(',k*) In 1932 and 1933 a ground survey of Kuwait
was carried out by an officer of the Royal Engineers attached to the Royal Air
Force Headquarters in Iraq. In 1934, at the time of the signing of the Civil Air
Agreement (paragraph 178 below), letters were exchanged whereby the Ruler
i
accorded to the Royal Air Force priority in the use of any aerodromes in Kuwait
without prior permission and without any charge being made. Reference is also
made to the import of aviation fuel for the use of the Royal Air Force free of
customs duty. The Ruler called attention to the fact that the Ruler of Bahrain
received an annual rental from the Royal Air Force and suggested that he should
receive the same treatment. In the same year the Political Agent negotiated with
the Ruler for the lease of land at Bandar Shuwaikh for the use of the Royal Air
Force but agreement could not be reached regarding the terms and the matter
was dropped. The Ruler did, however, agree to loan to the Royal Air Force
indefinitely without rent landing grounds at Jahrah and Subaihiyah provided
the water rights of the nomad population were not interfered with(3*') and also gave
them permission to lay mooring buoys in the Bandar Shuwaikh anchorage subject
to certain conditions.(303)
174. The Royal Air Force made use of Kuwait during the last war and in
1940 prepared the airfield south of the town, which was still in use in 1953. In
1944 they established detachments in Kuwait and were allowed to occupy buildings
at Shuwaikh rent free. They withdrew after the war.
175. When a new Civil Air Agreement was signed in June 1949
(paragraph 181 below) a fresh exchange of letters took place with the Ruler by
which the same facilities were accorded to the Royal Air Force as those specified
in 1934, except that there is mention of exemption from custom duties.(3*3) An
identical exchange of letters (Appendix L (i) and (ii)) took place after the signing
of the 1950 Civil Air Agreement (paragraph 183 below).
176. When Ahmad died in January 1950 the Royal Air Force held armoured
cars in readiness to intervene in case the succession was disputed and internal
fighting broke out. They participated in the celebrations on Abdullah’s formal
accession that year and on the occasion of the presentation to him of the insignia
of the K.C.M.G. in 1952.

(c) Civil Aviation
177. In 1932 Imperial Airways agreed to call at Kuwait if inducement offered
and conditions permitted and the Ruler agreed to waive for the time being his
right to charge landing-fees.(38‘) In December of the same year Imperial Airways
arranged to make regular calls at Kuwait. In 1933 at the instance of His Majesty’s
Government the Ruler prohibited the flying over or landing in Kuwait territory
of private aircraft.^*3)
178. The first Civil Air Agreement was signed on May 23, 1934, for a period
of four years, after which it was renewable at the option of His Majesty’s
Government and with the concurrence of the Ruler.(3HC) It granted His Majesty’s
Government exclusive rights to establish and maintain as his agents an aerodrome
or aerodromes within the Ruler’s territory. For these rights and for the lease of
(s,°) P. 132, P.G. 13.
C“) 1.0. to F.O. P.Z. 1400/34 of February 28. 1934 (E 1361 /160/91 of 1934).
(“*) 1.0. to F.O. P.Z. 6022/34 of September 27. 1934 (E 6035/160/91 of 1934)
(”*) P R- to F.O. Despatch 61 of July 9. 1949 (W 4049/15/802 of 1949).
(3M) I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 6037/32 of October 7. 1932 (E 5211/98/91 of 1932).
(3,s) I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 8320/33 of December 29. 1933 (E 8038/11/91 of 1933)
(JM) I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 4125/34 of June 23, 1934 (E 4159/160/91 of 1934).