Page 72 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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6. The Rulers of Kuwait have always adopted a somewhat more independent
attitude towards Her Majesty's Government than the Rulers of the other Gulr
Shaikhdoms. While showing themselves anxious to retain Her Majesty s Govern­
ment’s friendship and protection, without which they could not resist absorption
by their more powerful neighbours, they have striven to reduce interference by
Her Majesty’s Government in their internal affairs to a minimum. Their people
are infused with more local national and general Arab feeling than the inhabitants
of the other Gulf Shaikhdoms and owing to their proximity to Iraq are more in
touch with movements in the Arab world. This tendency has been further
increased by the recent influx into Kuwait of many Egyptians, Lebanese, Syrians
and Levantines generally.
7. The compiler of the Historical Summary of Events for 1907-28(,0) rated
Kuwait after Bahrain and Muscat in importance With the discovery of oil in
its territory in large quantities and the consequent enormous increase in its revenues
the position has entirely changed and in 1953 the views of Her Majesty’s
Goverment were stated as follows: —
“ During the last three years Kuwait has become of prime importance
to the United Kingdom and to the sterling area as a whole. It is now a major
source of oil supplies and an important element in our balance of payments.
The expenditure of its large sterling revenue unless properly directed is capable
of inflicting the most serious damage on the sterling area. Her Majesty’s
Government can no longer afford to confine themselves to the role authorised
by the treaties and agreements in force and sanctioned by usage but must also
interest themselves in all matters which affect the political and economic
stability of Kuwait or which may affect the interests of the United Kingdom
in the widest sense.”(")
8. A Political Agent directly subordinate to the Political Resident was first
appointed to Kuwait in 1904. It was not until 1949 that the appointment of an
Assistant to the Political Agent was sanctioned as a permanent measure, and since
then the Agency Staff has been further increased. In 1953 the post of Political
Agent was upgraded and it was decided that on matters which traditionally fell
within the responsibility of the Political Resident and on matters common to the
Persian Gulf States as a whole the Political Agent should continue to receive
instructions from the Political Resident and to report to him but that on matters
relating to the internal affairs of Kuwait and particularly to its administration,
finance, development and security he should receive instructions from and report
to the Foreign Office, copies of the correspondence being sent to the Political
Resident. This however was not to detract from the latter’s responsibility for
furthering the policies of Her Majesty’s Government in Kuwait and in the Persian
Gulf as a whole and the Political Agent was to remain under his general
supervision.^2)
9. Instructions were issued to the Political Resident who was newly
appointed in 1953 in the following terms:—“The subjects on which advice has
traditionally been tendered to the ruler must now be expanded. In particular: —
(i) It is of the highest importance that the policy of the ruler both in internal
and external matters should at all times be in harmony with the
interests of Her Majesty’s Government.
(ii) Discussions may be held with and, where appropriate, advice tendered
to the ruler or his officials on all matters which may directly or
indirectly involve the interests of Her Majesty’s Government, in Kuwait
or elsewhere.
(iii) Matters covered by (ii) above include specifically—
(a) the creation in Kuwait of sound and effective administration;
{b) the terms of employment of British advisers and other British
personnel;
(c) the introduction of a proper financial system;
(d) the development programme for Kuwait;

(,0) Para. 51 at p. 85. P.G. 13.
(n) F.O. to P.R. Despatch 125 (EA 1053/8) of July 24. 1953.
(,l) F.O. to P.R. Despatch 125 (EA 1053/8) of July 24. 1953.