Page 248 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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safeguard the interests of the Eastern Bank and the Imperial Bank and to prevent
any undue competition which might react unfavourably on the interests of my
country.
I willingly agree to the suggestion not to permit the opening of any additional
bank in Bahrain for a period of ten years. On the expiry of this period, the
country’s interest is to be given due consideration.

1
APPENDIX N
(Paragraph 139)
Cable and Wireless Concession Agreement with the Ruler of Bahrain—1947
This Deed, made the 28th day of July, 1947, between His Highness Shaikh
Sir Salman bin Hamad al Khalifah, K.C.I.E., Ruler of Bahrain (acting in the
exercise of his powers as head of the Government of Bahrain) of the one part and
Cable and Wireless, Limited, a Company incorporated in England whose registered
offices are situate at Electra House, Victoria Embankment, in the City of West­
minster (hereinafter called the Company), of the other part.
Whereas with the consent of His Highness the Company has laid down,
maintains and works at Bahrain submarine telegraph cables by means of which
Bahrain is connected with the Company’s world-wide telecommunications system.
And whereas also with the consent of His Highness the Company has
established, maintains and works at Bahrain a wireless telegraph station permitting
additional and alternative connection with the said system.
And whereas also with the consent of His Highness the Company is about
to establish a public automatic telephone service in the territories of His Highness
the Shaikh of Bahrain in accordance with conditions already agreed upon with
His Highness.
Now this Deed witnesseth as follows: —
1. His Highness hereby grants unto the Company for a period of twenty
years from 28th day of July, one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven,
calculated according to the Gregorian Calendar—the Company having the option
to renew the agreement for a further period after consultation with the Shaikh
and licence and permission—
(a) to establish, maintain and operate telecommunication services between
Bahrain and points outside His Highness’s territories and services with
aircraft and ships at sea and for that purpose—
(i) to maintain, renew and work the said cables and to lay down,
maintain, renew and work at Bahrain any additional cable or
cables;
(ii) to maintain and work the said wireless telegraph station and any
additions thereto;
(b) to provide a public telephone service in the territories of His Highness
the Shaikh of Bahrain and for that purpose to maintain and operate
automatic telephone exchanges and subscribers’ apparatus and any
extension or extensions thereof in the said territories as may be agreed
upon between His Highness and the Company.
His Highness, however, reserves the right in any case in which a : ■
requisition by him to the Company for a specified State telephone line
or lines cannot be expeditiously fulfilled by the Company to install
himself by any other means the said telephone line or lines provided that
such installation shall not prejudice the Company’s system;
(c) to receive from and deliver to the public telegrams exchanged between
Bahrain and any points outside His Highness’s territories;
(d) this licence and permission is exclusive subject to the rights already
enjoyed by the Bahrain Petroleum Company and to the reservation in
sub-paragraph (b) above.
2. The Company shall be entitled to receive payment or other consideration
for the telecommunication services rendered by it and in accordance with the rates
prevailing.