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summer of 1954. 344 On 27 June, Bahrain’s Public Relations Department launched its

first major project by inaugurating the Bahrain Radio Station in Arabic, as the voice

of the Administration. 345 The Bahraini Government then introduced the State’s new

Penal Code with the intention of it coming into effect by the beginning of

September. 346

By the summer of 1955, British policy was based on taking slow yet

significant steps towards reform in Bahrain. Labour reform seemed to be an

experiment and a step towards further modernising the Government. The HEC’s

response to the Administration’s steps was rather disappointing to the British as it

had called for boycotts of democratic opportunities such as the Municipal Council

elections. In the coming six months the Movement would witness a new crisis with

the Administration in protest at the introduction of the Penal Code. In addition to

the radicalisation of some of its members, strengthened ties with the Egyptians, and

a call to support Egypt’s Soviet arms deal would become the highlight of the second-

half of 1955.

nd
344 TNA, FO 1016/387, Residency Report on the Meeting held Yesterday 22 June 1955 at Masjid
Moamin by the H.E.C., 23 June 1955.
345 ‘Charles Gault, Residency’s Monthly Report for July 1955’, 1-6 (4).
346 TNA, FO 371/114587, Burrows to FO, 2 September 1955.

© Hamad E. Abdulla 115