Page 225 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Disturbances and strikes, 1956 211

SKCRliT
Bahrain tologram No, 172 to Foreign Office
- 3 -
4, I oald that I agreed with Uelgravo'e view that the
Govominont could not carry out this action on its own and
that if it wore to ho done wo would have to provide armed
forces in support. I thought it most likely that tho
Committoo would bo able to continue in being ovon aftor tho
arrest of its leaders and almost inevitable that a btrike
would bo called which would be more effootlve and dangerous
than on the last occasion. Apart from the obvious danger
to soourity I felt it wa3 only too likely that the strike
would have to bo brought to an end by a major political
concession on the part of the Government. I Bald I would
refer the matter to you, but it was likely to be most
difficult for us, in view of the history of political develop­
ment in oolonial territories, to use British foroes to holp
put down a political movement which had.remained almost
entirely within the bounds of the law which could not bo
proved to have oaused a disturbance, even if it was dear,
that their political pronouncements had given rise to existing
state of dissention. Moreover, if wo qarae in wo would want
to;-.get out quickly and would very likely feel bound to*
impose a considerable political reform in order to enable ■
US tO do 30.
5. Belgrave seemed to bo expecting that I would react on
these lines, but said that in his view a major disturbance
was inevitable at some time and it was better for the Govern­
ment to choose their own time. He agreod that so far as
world opinion was concerned it would be much better if they
did not have to take the .initiative. He had frequently
said this to tho Ruler.
6. I told Belgrave that I was thinking of proposing to you
that I should follow up the conversation between the Ruler
and the Secretary of State by suggesting that if the Ruler
would introduce a small Privy Council with the function of,
Inter alia, receiving comments and criticisms from the publlo
or any groups or associations of the public which might
present themselves, e.g. the High Executive Committee under i
another name, Her Majesty’s Government would make a,public
statement supporting the introduction of this reform, and
expressing their interest in the stability of Bahrain under
the wise guidance of the Ruler or words to that effect.
7. I alsc/

.