Page 194 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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which the State can afford and partly because of the lack of resources to implement
the proposals which have been made. The Sultan has said that he does not want
any more experts who will only look at the country and write reports; what he
requires is somebody who can suggest and implement small practical schemes and
teach his people improved methods.

111.—Relations between the Sultan and the Ibadhi Tribes of Oman
32. Relations between the Sultan and the tribes of the interior excluding those I
of the Dhahirah and the Buraimi area have been governed throughout the period by
the Treaty of Sib (Appendix B).(1#) The Sultan regards this Treaty as of a private
nature and will not permit its communication to oil companies. It provides ;
amongst other things for the internal independence of the tribes but is silent about
their external relations. Before the Treaty was completed however the tribes’ claim
to complete independence was rejected by the Sultan and he has always maintained
that the whole of the territory is under his sovereignty and that he is therefore
responsible for its external relations, an attitude which has been consistently
encouraged by Her Majesty’s Government. So far as is known this position has
never been formally accepted or denied by the Imam but his actions appear to
imply his acceptance of it. Though he has written a few letters direct to the
British political authorities and to Ibn Saud these have not dealt with important
matters and in the recent boundary dispute with Saudi Arabia he wrote to the Sultan
saying that he would accept any arrangement made by the Sultan with the British
Government. He is believed at one time in 1952 and 1953 to have started issuing
travel documents in his own name and to have desisted when he realised the
implications of this action. His henchman Salih Ibn Isa, the leader of the Hinawi
faction in Oman, stated to the Political Resident in March 1953 that while the
Imam was entirely responsible for the internal affairs of Oman the Sultan was
responsible for its external affairs.f5) On the other hand the leader of the Ghafiri
faction, Sulaiman bin Hamyar, has in recent years asserted his own complete
independence of the Sultan and his right to deal direct with the British and other
Governments. The possibility of entering into direct relations with the Imam and
the Omani tribes has from time to time been considered by Her Majesty’s
Government but the idea has hitherto been rejected not only because such action
would alienate the Sultan but also because it would automatically invalidate the
claim of the Iraq Petroleum Company that their concession from the Sultan covers
the whole of Oman and would further make it impossible to deny the right of
Saudi Arabia to enter into similar relations.^0)
i
i 33. On Sa’id’s accession in 1932 there was some discussion about the renewal
of the Treaty of Sib, but it was decided that His Majesty’s Government should take
no hand in the matter.^1) The Treaty was not renewed but is still regarded by both
parties to it as being in force. In 1933 when one of the Sultan’s subjects was
murdered by Omani tribesmen the Sultan was informed under instructions from the
Government of India that while the Government of India would accept no
responsibility for enforcing the Treaty on either party thereto they were prepared
to give their good offices in keeping the peace between them.(42) In 1953 when
Salih bin Isa asked the Political Resident what action Her Majesty’s Government
i
would take if the Sultan broke the terms of the Treaty he was given a similar reply.
| 34. The Treaty has worked well and there have been few breaches of it. Any
disputes which have arisen have usually been settled by discussion between the
Sultan and tribal representatives. In 1943 there was agitation in Oman over
restrictions on the export of rice from Muscat and some talk of denouncing the
Treaty. The eldest son of Isa Bin Salih the Hinawi leader visited the Political Agent
in the absence of the Sultan in Dhofar, in order to complain. It was found possible
to persuade him that the shortage of rice was not the fault of the Muscat
Government and arrangements were made for the Omanis to receive their share of
wheat and barley in its place.
(”) Paras. 50 to 52 at p. 53. P.G. 13.
(”) Tel. from P.R. to F.O. 198 of March 11. 1953 (EA 1081/186 of 1953).
(40) F.O. to P.R. 47 (EA 1017/3 of 1951).
(4‘) I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 546/33 of February 2. 1933 (E 672/672/91 of 1933).
(4?) I.O. to F.O. P.Z. 1764/33 of March 30. 1933 (E 1686/672/91 of 1933).