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Anxious to know of Al-Bakir’s initial reaction upon his arrival in Bahrain the

Residency advanced to the FO a translated transcript of Al-Bakir’s first public

speech delivered in a gathering on the occasion of the anniversary of Prophet

Mohammed’s birthday on 17 October. The transcript of the speech was translated

from Arabic as it had been featured in its entirety in Al-Mizan newspaper published

on 19 October. Translation of the article is available among Bahraini records at

TNA. Al-Bakir had praised Nasser’s measures in nationalising the Suez Canal

Company and explained that he saw this to be a part of the greater picture of Arab

nationalism reaching a state ‘of resolution’. He went on: ‘We here declare that the

imperialist should pick up his stuff and go’ and ‘If the imperialist wants to remain in

Bahrain, which is now a vital artery to him, he ought to change his policy’. Al-Bakir,

moreover, claimed that the NUC was ‘regarded by the Arab leaders [whom he did

not specify] as the pivot of the liberation of the Gulf’. He reiterated the Party’s policy

in boycotting the Administration Council even if it caused an impediment to the

departmental services in Bahrain, it was for the sake of the greater nationalist cause.

The head of the NUC further criticised those who blamed the Party’s policies to have

caused the employment of more British citizens and a stronger presence of military

personnel in Bahrain. 806

Another article in Al-Mizan newspaper featured an interview with Al-Bakir of

which the Residency forwarded a translated copy to the FO. Unfortunately the

original issue of the newspaper is not now available for public viewing. The

interview was conducted by Al-Mizan’s Editor-in-Chief, Abdulla Al-Wazzan. The

806 TNA, FO 371/120549, Abdulrehman Al Bakir’s Speech, 30 October 1956.

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