Page 16 - Records of Bahrain (4) (i)_Neat

6 Records of Bahrain

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interference with the reform^Twhich it had boon found
necessary to introduce to bring Bahrein up to the level of
modern civilisatlon0 I said that, no doubt many Sunni there

would naturally view with regrot the disappearance of the
old ruler to whom everybody present0 Including myselfn as
representative of His Majesty’s Government,, owed debt of
gratitude for long and0 on the whole., prosperous rule of
many years,, in spite of many difficulties and covetous eyes
on both sides of the Gulf.> I indulged,.however,, in the hope

that the reforms would lead to ultimate benefit of Sunni
community., I contrasted Political Agent* s rule over
foreigners Y/ith Sheikh’s rule of Sunni* The one was opon
and above board while the other had been bellind purflfl and
marked by aloofness of the Sunni community from foreign
progress* Foreigners had progressed., multiplied and
pro spared,, while the Sunni coramunity had lagged behind in tho

race and was _iot pulling its weight in the boat or enjoying
that preponderance :ln Bahrein affairs which was its birth**
right* and I hoped that Sheikh Hamad" s rul% assisted by his
brother Abdulla0and supported by His Majesty’s Government
against external agression and internal 3editlonPwould lead
Sunnis to their light place.-,

I then lectured each community in turn,, laid stress
upon tho absolute necessity for strong rule of one Sheikh
of Al Khalifa family, and not irresponsible rule of 30 or
more persons appointed by and responsible to themselves
alone>
So much was in English read out later in Arabic* I
then turned to Hamad and gave him in Arabic and in public

some useful advice for his future governance0 explaining
for one word to Hamad X spoke six to my other hearers• Both
epeoches wore well received by the representatives at

audience
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