Page 57 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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and th,ey accepted an arrangement whereby Bahrain would be included on an
informal basis within his jurisdiction without any exequation being granted. (In
1945 this arrangement was extended to include Muscat, Qatar and the Trucial
Coast.) Salman expressed much alarm when he was informed of the arrangement.
He stated that he did not wish British influence to be shared with anyone and that
in no circumstances would he agree to Persian or Saudi Arabian representation in
Bahrain.(aos)
102. In 1947 the United States Navy began to take an interest in the Persian
Gulf. A heavy cruiser visited Bahrain, Admiral Conolly and another American
Admiral arriving there at the same time by air. After the anti-Jewish riots in
December 1947, when action was threatened against the Bahrain Petroleum
Company if they did not get rid of a few Jews whom they employed, a United States
Navy tanker was for some time stationed at Sitrah. At this time two United States
Naval Officers resided with the oil company, one a general Liaison Officer and the
other a technical officer concerned with oil matters. In 1948 a United States
aircraft-carrier visited Bahrain and owing to the feeling against the United States
over the Palestine question most of the local merchants refused to attend a party to
which they were invited on board. In 1949 a Captain was appointed Commander
of a United States Middle East Force consisting of one ship which is relieved every
four months. It has its headquarters in the Gulf and by arrangement with the
Royal Navy shares the facilities and amenities at Jufair, which has in effect become
its base. In 1951 the Captain was replaced by a Rear-Admiral.
103. In 1951 a United States Naval Control Office was established at Jufair.
The Ruler was consulted and informed that the number of personnel concerned
was 10. He agreed but subsequently called attention to the fact that a substantial
number of American Naval Officers and men were living in Manamah and enquired
whether there was any limit to the number of American naval personnel who were
to be stationed there. Although at that time the number of Naval Control Office
personnel which had been intimated to him had not been exceeded some other
American naval personnel were residing in Manamah. The position was explained
to him in detail in March 1952(*06) since when nothing further has been heard from
him on the subject. In December 1952 the total number of American naval
personnel residing in Bahrain was reported by the United States authorities to be
24. Early in 1952 the United States Commander Middle East Forces intimated that
he was thinking of applying for a lease of a portion of the Naval Base at Jufair with
a view to constructing residential and office accommodation and refrigerated
storage. In spite of local objections both the Admiralty and the Foreign Office were
inclined to agree to this proposal but the latter wished to obtain an assurance from
the Americans that they would not increase the number of their naval personnel in
Bahrain without prior consultation with Her Majesty’s Government. In March
1953, however, the Americans abandoned, at any rate for the time being, their
wish to build at Jufair as accommodation had become easier to obtain in Manamah
and a local commercial organisation was expected to begin the construction of
refrigeration facilities in the near future.(J07) In October 1953 an American Naval
Captain was appointed to reside permanently on shore at Bahrain.
104. Since the last war many American high-ranking Defence Service Officers,
Senators, diplomats, oil magnates and warships have visited Bahrain. Relations
with the Americans both as regards the British residents and the Ruler and his
people have on the whole been happy. In particular the United States Naval
authorities have been most scrupulous in respecting the British position, a matter-
regarding which Admiral Conolly gave an assurance in 1948.(2#*) They are carelul
to observe the local protocol and appear to have accepted the practice whereby some
of the Gulf Rulers pay the first call on the Commanding Officers of Her Majesty s
ships, but the Commanding Officers of United States ships as foreigners in all cases
pay the first call on the Rulers.!109) Although during the last war there was some
feeling about the exercise by the British authorities of jurisdiction over Americans
in Bahrain and a proposal was made that the Ruler should be asked to appoin
American judge to try Americans, the position is now readily accepted and appe
(aoi) I.O. to F.O. Ext. 3895/44 of September 4. 1944 (E 5452/2521/91 of 1944).
(”•) P.R. to F.O. 1217/12/53 of June 11. 1953 (EA 1214/5 of 1953).
(a07) Admiralty to F.O. M. 061649/52 of March 29. 1953 (EA 1214/4 of 1953).
(,0') F.O. to P.R. E 10145/1316/91 of August 10. 1948.
(”*) (EA 1211/4 of 1950.)