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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS xxiii
to be taken in the course of 1971, with respect to the future
relationship between the Government of the United Kingdom and
the Gulf States.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary began his statement
by referring first to the announcement made in January 1968, by the
former Labour Government regarding “their intention to terminate
the treaties with Bahrain, Qatar and the seven Trucial States by the
end of 1971, and to withdraw British forces from the region”. He
added that in the light of the new circumstances created as a result of
the above announcement, Her Majesty’s Government, which
“have given very careful consideration to the future relationship
between Britain and the Gulf States. . ., have held consultations
with the Rulers to consider how best Britain could contribute in the
future to the stability of the area”.
Sir Alec Douglas-Home then explained the discussions which
took place at the time about the formation of the federation in the
Gulf. He stated that Her Majesty’s Government “strongly support
the development of a Union of Arab Emirates”. As regards the
assurances offered to the Rulers after the formation of the
federation, Sir Alec outlined them in the following:
1. Her Majesty’s Government would conclude a “Treaty of
Friendship” with the Government of the federation. The treaty
would include an “undertaking to consult together in time of need”.

2. Her Majesty’s Government would be willing “to hand over”
the Trucial Oman Scouts “to form a nucleus of a Union Army”.
British officers would be available for this army on secondment
basis. Supply of British equipment to the Union army would also be
provided.
3. Arrangements would be made for British training teams to
station in the U nion for the purpose of assisting in the training of the
Union’s security forces.
4. Her Majesty's Government would continue to provide the
Government of the Union with technical assistance in “devel­
opment and other appropriate fields”.

5. The “Treaty of Friendship” and the above proposals would
replace the existing treaties between the United Kingdom and
Bahrain, Qatar and the seven Trucial States. These treaties, which
form “the present basis of the protected status of these nine
states”, would be terminated by the end of 1971. The Foreign and
Commonwealth Secretary continued:
“I believe, Mr Speaker, that the arrangements of this kind will
form a sound basis for a continuing and effective British
contribution to the stability of the Area, and a new and up-to-date