Page 378 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

364 Records of Bahrain
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respectively. Tho firot, clearly of United Arab Republic
Bponaornhip, consistently Inveighed agalnot both the old
Imperialism and tho new (Communism), including Abdul Karim
Qaslm, the Jews, BAPCO and the inadequaciea of the Bahrain
Government. The manlfootocG of tho oecond group culled for
unity against imperialiom and wore more communist in Gtyle, and
some were partly in Persian; so v/ere some of tlic wall-sloguns,
thought to be the work of communists also; while the third
appeared to emanate from a separate nationalist group, probably
Ba'thist. Circulation of the shorter publications of tho laBt
two groups normally amounted to about 200 copies, while the
longer "magazine" of the first appeared in fewer copies; the
police seemed incapable of stopping their distribution, but
their Impact is not serious<
5. During the Ruler'.o convalescence, it was necessary to
inform Shaikh Isa in advance of the probability of leave being
granted by the Privy Council to Abdul Rahman ul Bakir and the
other Bahrainis imprisoned on St. Helena to appeal against the
dismissal by the St. Helena Court of a writ for habeas corpus,
und after the Ruler had asked for this in writing, he replied
on July 27 sternly reminding Her Majesty's Government that it
was its duty not to disturb the peace of Bahrain by coimtennpo*-
ing the appeal. He repeated this on reading the banner head­
lines (which annoyed him) given by the Gulf Dully Times to the
eventual granting of leave by the Privy Council. In both
communications, and in an earlier interview in April with the
Deputy Political Resident, he showed complete inability to
understand the legal considerations involved, but a good
appreciation of his own Family's interests. Tho grip of the
Family on public affairs has indeed, if anything, become more
all-embracing during the year.
6. The population census held in Muy revealed an increase
in total population of 3Q^ since 1950, to 163,135. With the
exception of commonwealth citizens, particularly Indians, whore
the figures showed a disproportionate increase, through
immigration, the increase was well-balanced between the various
sections of tho community. Literacy increased by 166# in the
same period and housing by 3595, favourable tendencies reflecting
the generally satisfactory impression givon by the results of
Bahrain's progress over the nine years since the previous
census.

7. ■ In March, after four years as Political Agent, during
"which he had built up a relationship with His Highness of
influence and friendship, Mr. C.A. Gault, O.B.E. left Bahrain,
und retired from the Foreign Service. The relationship,
however, seems likely to survive in a new form. His Highness
haa shown complete cordiality to the new Political Agent despite
his various grievances which he does not heoitate to voice.
Relations between the Agency and the Secretariat have continued
to be good on the whole, despite the impatience of the Immigration
Department to take over some of the visa work; this led it to
report the situation in terms imputing bad faith to the Agency;
und a written apology from tho Secretary to the Government was
subsequently received for publishing the misleading paragraph.

0. Relations with neighbouring States wore, with the
exception /

CONFIDENTIAL