Page 206 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

144 THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE ARABIAN GULF STATES
against a foreign government or other matters—accept the jurisdic­
tion of the Court on any such matters. In so far as such claims arc
concerned, it seems clear that the British Government’s signature of
the Optional Clause will not apply to Muscat, being a non-protectcd
State. The Government of Muscat is, therefore, originally entitled to
i espouse the claims of her nationals against foreign States. However,
this does not mean that she cannot call on the British Government to
act on her behalf in presenting such claims, or any other disputes, for
1 international arbitrations.1
Nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that by espousing an in­
ternational claim on behalf of Muscat, the British Government is
merely acting as an agent and, therefore, it would be assumed that it
1 cannot be in a better international position than the Government of

signature of the Clause will not cover Muscat).
■ Muscat while presenting such claims (i.e., Her Majesty’s Government
■
1 For an example of a dispute between Muscat and a foreign State in which the
British Government acted on behalf of Muscat, see Chapter 13.
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