Page 191 - Begrave Thesis_Neat

Reviewing the attack on the Foreign Secretary, Burrows proposed three

theories. First, that the HEC intentionally organised the demonstration. Second,

that a single member or a small group of the HEC was behind the demonstration.

Third, that agents provocteurs opposing the HEC staged the demonstration. The

Resident then went on to doubt the theory that implied that the HEC organised the

event as they had expressed on 3 March to the Residency their ‘sincere expression

of deepest regret at what occurred’. Burrows leaned towards the second theory as

information had reached him that Al-Shamlan had been addressing the crowd

following the football match. The Residency believed that, due to Al-Shamlan’s

action, he was to be ‘court-martialed’ by the HEC.

Burrows also informed the FO that he had learned from Belgrave that the

Ruler had told the Adviser that he was fully responsible for order in Bahrain and

that he had the freedom to arrest the frontline members of the HEC. Belgrave in

return informed the Resident that the Administration was not capable of carrying

out that move on its own, fearing a violent backlash. The grounds for arresting HEC

members would cite the contents of a circular issued by the Party on 21 February in

which it had warned the Administration about ignoring its demands. But Belgrave

indicated that there was not sufficient evidence to convict them in a court of law.

Burrows warned the Adviser that major disturbances might follow the

suggested arrests. He then recommended to the Ruler that he form a Privy Council

to receive public comments and recommendations and he promised to gain the

support of HMG for this idea. Burrows reiterated the need for the Adviser to

strengthen the Police Force. The Resident further urged Belgrave that the Bahraini

© Hamad E. Abdulla 170