Page 241 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Disturbances and strikes, 1956 227

CONFIDENTIAL
Bahrain telegram Mo. 207 V» Forr.lp.n Offloo

- 2 -
a type not used by the Police, i.c. the man wan [? grp. oipitted]
from the crowd. The police fire was no doubt wild, but they were
in a tight corner and I am prepared t'* believe that they could not
Extricate themselves without firing cf some kind. Police loud-
Hpcaker curs had been present for a long time previously exporting
the crowd to disperse. Tear gas supplies had only readied the
Bahrain Police a week ago and they are not yet trained in its use.
3. From the point of view of Police morale, the most that
ought to be said by the Bahrain authorities is probably that a
departmental enquiry will be held and the result submitted to the
Government.
K. Feeling against Delgrnve is unfortunately widespread,
even among the normally responsible elements, senior merchants etc.
His departure would ease immediately the situation, but might possibly
be followed by [grp. undcc.] of the Ruler and would not solve the
basic political question, which is, that reformist elements want to :
obtuin power l’ -r themselves considerably faster than the Ruler is
prepared to give it up. It would also obviously be a considerable
blow at our prestige. I am trying for a partial solution of the
problem by asking the Ruler to appoint a very small "administration
Council" consisting purely of members of his family and officials
which would have the function of co-ordinating and speeding up the
administration and receiving complaints and suggestions from the i
public. It would thus take over some of Be]grave's present functions.
A further step in the same direction would be if Bclgravo steps down
from the titular position of Commandant of the Police, which I am
putting to him.
5. The Ruler, whom I dW this rwning, is behaving sensibly
and prepared to continue with gradualipolitical evolution, while at j
the same time restoring order and discipline. He would clearly prefer
to be able to ely for this on his own forces and docs not quite
realise tint, they inirlvt not, in all the circumstances be large
enough for the task.
Foreign Office pass P.O.M.K.F* and Beirut as my telegrams Hos.
26 and 30.
[Repeated to P.O.M.E.F. and Beirut]
ADVANCE COPIES:
Sir I. Kirkpatrick
Private Secretary
Mr. Shuckbuvgh
Head of Eastern Department
666666 Resident Clerk