Page 204 - Begrave Thesis_Neat

Manama and Muharraq had been obstructed. Other roads were blocked, more

vehicles were stoned and a European-owned car was burnt out. Understanding the

complexity of the situation and seeing that matters had gone too far, the HEC

informed the Residency that they were prepared to withdraw their insistence on

Belgrave’s departure, as a quid pro quo for the Administration announcing an

enquiry into the latest shootings. The Party, it said, would then urge people to

return to work. Burrows recorded that the Residency was in contact with a member

of the HEC to negotiate a breakthrough but did not name the individual concerned.

The Resident observed that the HEC did not want to extend the strike and had

seemed unprepared for it.

After the Residency’s mediation between the Administration and the HEC, an

initial understanding between the two was reached. In order to help bring about an

end to the strike the HEC was granted permission to use trucks equipped with

speakers to urge people to disband. 568

But the strike continued and on 14 March a noticeable change was seen in

Burrows’ attitude towards the nationalists. The Resident, in his account to the FO,

alluded to the possibility of initiating a crackdown against local agitators whether

they were individual agitators or HEC members. Burrows proposed to the FO that

British troops should take over some of the responsibilities of the local police in

order to restore order on the islands. Furthermore the Resident said that he had

been approached by Belgrave who sought action against the HEC if they opted to

extend the strike. Burrows sought advice from the FO. The Resident now believed

568 TNA, FO 371/120544, Burrows to FO, 13 March 1956.

© Hamad E. Abdulla 183