Page 308 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol II

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APPENDIX D
(Paragraph 87)
Correspondence about Facilities for the Royal Navy at Khor Quwai—1935
and 1947
(i)

Letter, dated March 27 1935, from the Sultan of Muscat to the
Political Agent, Muscat
I have received your letter dated the 26th March, 1935, and understood its
contents, in addition to the conversation which we had with regard to the Jazirat-al
Ghanam, a dependency of my country Khasab.
You have been directed by the Honourable the Political Resident to ask my
permission to use the whole of the island for the purpose of constructing small
buildings for His Majesty’s navy to be used as a club for the officers, a canteen
and a store for keeping provisions. Also a mooring for the oil barge at
Khor Quwai. I have also received the plan of the island and the Khor, and noted
the places required by you for the construction of small buildings, the mooring,
the beach for bathing, and the place for the sports.
I have thought over this matter, and, in view of the friendly relations which
exist between me and the British Government, I inform you in reply that with great
pleasure I accord you permission to use the northern part of the island for the
places mentioned in the plan.
As there arc goats in the island, I do not agree that the whole of the island
should be used by you. It is said that the goats are wild, but they are not, and
belong to some of my subjects, who often visit the island and see the goats.
Besides the places mentioned in the plan, I allow the British navy to go for
a stroll in the rest of the island if they wish to do so, but they should not erect
buildings in any place other than those mentioned in the plan.
It should also be understood that the British navy should not catch any of
the goats in the island, as they are not wild ones and belong to my subjects. They
should not prevent my subjects from visiting the island and using places other than
those specified in the plan for building, &c. 1 regret that I cannot accord
permission for the use of the whole island, as my subjects cannot do without it.
They would not be able to use it if the British navy use the whole island, and I
am unwilling that any misunderstanding should arise between them, the
storekeeper and the naval men living in the island. Moreover, my subjects should
be at liberty to land and go about in the island except to places which I have
allowed you to use.(')
During our conversation you pointed out that no flagstaff will be erected in
the island, that only small buildings will be constructed and that the places
mentioned in the plan will be used.
I would like to know at what time the work starts so that I may be able to
inform the Vali who represents me in these parts. I would also like to know how
many persons are going to live in the island, and whether they are in possession
of any arms or not.
I request you to convey the contents of my letter to the Honourable the
Political Resident and confirm what T have explained in it.

(ii)
Letter, dated March 20 1947. from the Political Agent, Muscat, to the
Sultan of Muscat
With reference to Your Highness’ letter No. c/8, dated the 3rd December,
1946, I am directed to inform Your Highness that there are no longer any naval
.personnel stationed on the island of Jazirat al Ghanum,.and that except for the
addition of a wireless and cable station with ancillary buildings and stores, the
^position is now.as it was before the war. I have asked the Senior Naval Officer,
Persian Gulf, to supply me with a plan showing the position of the new buildings
(l) I.e., building sites, bathing and games places.