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Al-Bakir’s visit to the Residency presented a new perspective on his attitude

concerning his Movement and its members. The incident was not recorded by Al-

Bakir in his memoir. It is possible that the HEC as a whole were not aware of Al-

Bakir’s meetings with the British. If it had been made public at the time it would

have either split the HEC or would have led to Al-Bakir’s removal from office. The

possible motive behind Al-Bakir’s recent approach was his knowledge that major

anti-British disorders might occur and by so doing he might clear his name and

avoid arrest.

Burrows met with the Ruler on 27 August and proposed Britain’s direct

intervention if problems were to arise in Bahrain during the anticipated

demonstrations. The Ruler gave Burrows his approval to take all necessary

measures to protect the islands. Burrows did not doubt as he addressed the FO that,

Egypt will want to make the most of this opportunity to pose, using
the High Executive Committee as a tool, as the champion of the
sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf against the British imperialists, an
area in which she has not hitherto been able to exercise much
influence. 375

Al-Watan’s increased tone in attacking British policy corresponded to the rise

of tensions in August. Al-Mardi made it clear in the headline to his article that ‘The

English are our real enemies’. The title continued, ‘“Al-Watan” unveils English

Colonialism in Bahrain’, which was just as well because the text was completely

deleted by the censor. 376 Egypt’s Tahrir (Independence) publication in August also

aimed to set the stage for ‘The Volcano which will erupt next month’ in Bahrain as it

375 TNA, FO 371/114587, Burrows to FO, 2 September 1955.
376 M. Al-Mardi, ‘Al-Injaliz hum Adauna Al-Haqiquon, “Al-Watan” Takshuf Al-Sitar an Al-Istimar Al-
Injalizi fi Al-Bahrain’ [The English are our real enemies, ‘Al-Watan’ unveils English Colonialism in
Bahrain], Al-Watan, 26 August 1955, 1.

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