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of the Baghdad Pact for the cause of greater global peace. In Lloyd’s answer he

referred to the creation of NATO and how it aided the West in countering the

Soviets. He believed that the countries in close proximity to the Soviet Union in the

Middle East did well by forging their own alliance and it was in HMG’s own interest

to take part in such an alliance. He concluded that the Pact’s objectives were purely

defensive. 513

The Foreign Secretary was then escorted to the Ruler’s palace in Gudaibiya

for a formal banquet. Although it was previously proposed by Burrows that a

private meeting with Sheikh Salman and the British Minister would follow the

dinner reception, recent developments intruded on the evening’s conversation and

the topic of Britain’s stance towards the HEC was openly reviewed. Burrows

recorded the points discussed between the two parties during the banquet. In the

Resident’s account, the Ruler informed the Foreign Secretary of information he

believed that connected the HEC with British officials in Bahrain. On his part Lloyd

expressed Britain’s confidence in the Ruler’s statesmanship. Lloyd later suggested

to the Ruler that he set up an Advisory Council that would become a means by which

‘reasonable elements from Bahraini society’ could offer advice. Regarding HMG’s

dealings with ‘insensible and ignorant elements of society’ Lloyd explained to the

Ruler that ‘We found that by giving them an opportunity to talk they became much

less dangerous. The same should be tried in Bahrain’. 514 The reception at the palace

513 ‘Biritaniyah alti Waqat Meethaq Huquq Al-Insan hal tafi Biltizamatiha?’ [Britain, who signed on the
Human Rights Charter does it abide by its Responsibilities?], Al-Watan, 6 April 1956, 1 and 5.
514 TNA, FO 1016/465, Burrows to Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (SOSFA), 3 March 1956.

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