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Baghdad Pact newsreel, 681 a testimony to the influence of Egyptian propaganda on

Bahraini nationalists which argued that it was in their general interest to attack the

anti-Soviet Pact.

On 3 June the Resident met Belgrave and advised him to review the country’s

administrative system according to the FO’s instructions, a matter that was

approved by the Adviser. Based on the proposal Belgrave met with the Ruler and

provided the Residency his account of the proceedings. The Adviser informed the

Ruler of his opinion that an overall review of the Administration must take place,

paving the way for his exit. In reply the Ruler asked the Adviser whether the idea

was his or was put to him. Belgrave acknowledged that the idea was proposed to

him but that he himself genuinely wished to retire. On the conclusion of the meeting

between the two, the Ruler proposed to Belgrave, based on Burrows’

recommendation, to meet Smith and seek his views regarding the proposal that he

take over the Adviser’s duties.

Following on these developments Burrows recommended a new structure to

the Government following Belgrave’s departure. The hierarchy would consist of

Smith as the Ruler’s ‘Head of his personal office’, to be followed by the

Administration Council, the Government’s main operational body. Burrows further

proposed to have Smith’s appointment made following the end of summer after he

was scheduled to return from a three-month holiday starting in June with an official

announcement by the Ruler about his promotion. That announcement would

681 H. Al-Mahmeed, ‘Hilf Baghdad fi Dur Al-Cinema’ [The Baghdad Pact in Film Theatres], Al-Watan, 1
June 1956, 9.

© Hamad E. Abdulla 219