Page 645 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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political appointments have been made such as that of Sheikh Nasir bin Rashid
Khnrusi, a brother of the late Imam of Oman, to be Qadi of Suwaiq. Tho
Sultan’s relations with the Imam remain unaltered. The Sultan considers
that the Imam is a man of high principle and of excellent character but there
has been no personal contact between them although if relations continue to
improve there is a possibility that direct personal relations might be estab­
lished.
(c) Local.—In August tho Sultan decided to appoint two Ministers to assist
him in his work. Tie appointed Saiyid Shahab bin Faisal, one of his uncles, as
Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Ahmad bin Ibrahim as Minister for
Local Affairs. These officials are theoretically in complete control of lheir
respective departments but in practice they are only permitted to make decisions
on minor points and all matters of importance must he referred to the Sultan
for final orders. A new Director of Customs was appointed in April. This
official is a seconded officer from the Karachi Customs. He has been endeavour­
ing, with some success, to reorganize the Customs department. There have
been a few changes in the governorships. The most important has been the
appointment of Ismail bin Khalil Rassasi, a Palestinian, as Governor of Matrali
in the place of Saiyid Hamad bin Faisal. The new governor has been 10 years
in Muscat. He was reported to be very anti-British but closer contact with the
man has shown that this reputation was not deserved. Saiyid Hamad bin
Faisal lias not been given a further appointment. He is living in retirement on
a tenth of his allowance the remaining nine-tenths being used by the State to
pay his considerable debts. The members of the ruling family have given little
or no trouble and it is doubtful if any of the Sultan’s close relatives, since
Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal’s brain became affected, have any influence, even in local
affairs. They certainly have none in Oman.
4. OH Concessions.—(a) Muscat Oil.—The Geologists of Petroleum Con­
cessions, Limited, continued their work until the second week in February when,
after paying a short visit to Dliofar, they completed their winter programme
and left Muscat.
Mr. B. H. Lermiltc, a representative of Petroleum Concessions Limited,
who had been negotiating with the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi for entrance into the
Jbri-Dhnnk-Hafit area arrived in Muscat in June. His negotiations with the
Sheikh of Abu Dhabi had not proved as satisfactory as both be and bis Company
had hoped. Somewhat late in the day Petroleum Concessions, Limited; decided
to approach the Sultan of Muscat i’or entry to the area which undoubtedly
belonged lo him and not to the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi. Mr. Lcrmitte was well
received and the Sultan was prepared to allow the survey party to enter the
Batinah, Dahirah, Baraimi and Mahadhah areas provided that motor cars were
not used and that the party made their entrance into the area in question from
the Baraimi or Muscat, direction and not through the territory of the Sheikh
of Abu Dhabi. The Sultan also stated that he would arrange for reliable
people to accompany the party. He placed no restrictions on the time that
the party remained in any particular place. However, Petroleum Conces­
sions Limited were not favourably impressed and took tho opportunity to
make the Sultan’s objection to the use of motor cars a reason for not’ carrying
out survey work this winter. A number of additional arguments were also
put forward but the majority of them, I fear, were not founded on facts. The
impression given by the Company was that they were not sufficiently interested
to undertake the expense of a long and tedious survey.
(b) (i-wadur Oil.—Negotiations were continued with the Burmah Oil Com­
pany but in August they withdrew as Indian Oil Concessions Limited obtained
the concession for Kalat State. As far as is known no definite agreement has
been reached between the Sultan of Muscat and Indian Oil Concessions Limited
5. Judicial.—Judicial matters form the subject of a separate report.
table shows the total imports and exports during
the year 1938-39 as compared with the figures for the previous year
Year. Imports. Exports.
Rs. Rs.
3937-38 41,16,125 32,99,015
1938-39 48,76,193 33,31,939