Page 93 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Representational government, 1954 79

CONFIDENTIAL
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INWARD 3AVINQ TELEGRAM

FROM BAHRAIN TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Cypher/OTP FOREIGN OFFICE AND
By Air Mall i £ WHITEHALL DISthtgOTlON
~

Mr, Burrows
No, 59 Saving
November 12f 1054, R, JO; 5 a, m< November 17f 1964,

CONFIDENTIAL

My telegram No, 600 - Constitutional Movement In Bahrain,
The Ruler’s reply to the Higher Executive Committee's petition la
contained In a Government notice Issued on November 8. The reply
states briefly that establishment of a legislative council Is "not practicable"
but that Government Is pursuing Impolicy of progress and Improvements In
all departmental It appeals to people to cooperate and Ignore unofficial
publications.

2. Tto Iflgtor Executive Committee have retorted with a circular
expressing surprise and disappointment at the refusal of the request for
a legislative council and mistrust of the Government1? promises of reforms,
tatyousp.
3, On November 8, on the occasion of the Prophet^ birthday- the
Committee called a meeting winch was attended by several thousands of both
communities. The principal /speakers were the sumo as In previous meetings
reported In my despatch No. i(X) of October 26. Demand for legislative
council was repeated and It was argued that such a council while being one
way of securing reforms and adequate social services would not derogate from
the Ruler's authority. One point emphasized was that a legislative council
would break "monopoly" of Government purchases now held by Messrs. Charles
Kendall and Company - the Intention no doubt being to dangle the prospects of
lucrative business before loaal merchants. Positive action at tto meeting
was confuted to collecting signatures on a mass "power of attorney" for
eight delegates and collecting rupees for campaign funds. There was no
revelation of plans for the next step.

4. The Ruler was impressed by the suggestion that we made to him
some time ago that the Government should give more publicity1 to its
achievements and intentions and has instructed advisers to begin converting
official gazette into something resembling weekly newspaper. Latest number
for example contains notice mentioned In paragraph 1 above and announcement of
Hammerstey's appointment as Assistant Commandant of the Police. But to is
still opposed to announcement of fundamental reform of the Judiciary.
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