Page 265 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol II

250

APPENDIX G
(Paragraph 89)
Letter, dated April 21 1935, from the Ruler of Kuwait to the Political Resident,
Persian Gulf, undertaking to consult His Majesty’s Government
before granting oil concessions in the Neutral Zone
With the hand of loyalty I have received your letter No. 284-S dated the 7th
Muharram 1354 (11.4.35), and I thank Your Excellency for what you have stated
regarding the instructions issued by His Majesty’s Government in respect of the
concessions that are likely to be given in my State.
I beg, therefore, to inform Your Excellency that I am always gratified and
honoured to have received His Majesty’s Government’s commands, and as I have
intimated to Your Excellency in my letter No. R-4/2009 dated 21st April 1935,
1 hold very tight to my homage and obediancc to the wishes of His Majesty’s
Government and it is of deep import to me to continue to acquire their satisfaction
and favour always.
As regards the directions under which you require me not to grant concessions
of any kind, nor to negotiate with any party in regard to any such concessions,
except after I have obtained the approval of His Majesty’s Government—I beg to
inform Your Excellency that in the question relating to any oil concession in the
Neutral Zone, I hold entirely to what I have already promised you, and shall act
in strict accordance with what this (my promise) requires of me and shall let you
know the result in secret. As regards concessions other than this, in view of the
old and friendly bonds which exist between His Majesty’s Government and myself,
I do not think that it is His Majesty’s Government’s intention or desire to restrain
or prevent me from enjoying any advantage or benefits that can be derived from
my country and lands, such for instance as concessions connected with the shipment
of sand, shingle, shells, rock, gypsum, wool as well as ice, electricity and many
other similar things, none of which involves any inconsistency (with my treaty
engagements). I, on the other hand, am quite confident that His Majesty’s
Government has got no other purpose in mind but my and my country’s welfare
and good. Nor would they, I feel sure, agree to anything that would bind and
unfairly deprive me of such benefits and advantages.
Seeing therefore that we are independent, under the shade of His Majesty’s
Government’s protection and goodwill, and seeing that we are holding tight to
every single thing that helps to confirm this fact in every way, we cannot see our
way to agree to the abovementioned directions, except in so far as they concern
any oil concessions in the Neutral Zone, for we believe we have absolute liberty
in our land.

APPENDIX H

Correspondence on the Subject of the Ruler of Kuwait’s Dollar Requirements
(i)
(Paragraph 97
Letter, dated November 26 1951, from the Political Agent, Kuwait, to the
Ruler of Kuwait
1 have the honour to refer to the interview of Mr. Reilly, the representative
of His Majesty’s Treasury, and myself with Your Highness on the 21st November,
1951, and to state that I am directed by His Majesty’s Government to convey to
Your Highness the following assurance: —
“ His Majesty’s Government assure Your Highness that when you require
coods and services which are essential for the benefit of your country (but
are not coods for trade) and which are available for purchase from the United
States dollar area but not for Sterling, the Political Agent will be able to
make the necessary arrangements for the supply of dollars.*’
2 I should be grateful for an acknowledgment of this letter.