Page 232 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

& 170 THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE ARABIAN GULF STATES
sent by the Government of India to the British authorities in the Gulf
to meet the new circumstances arising from the Persian interference
in the affairs of Bahrain.1 The line of policy advocated in these in­
*V\
I structions met with the approval of the British Foreign Secretary in
London, Lord Aberdeen, who sent a Note to the British Minister at
Tehran, Lt-Col Shcil, in which he supported the instructions of the
Indian Government and added:
Unless Persia can show that she has a clear and undisputed right to the
v:
V-i sovereignty of Bahrain, that she has exercised it without interruption under
the dynasty of the Kajar family and consequently her present policy is
directed to the maintenance of her lawful claims and not to the assertion
of a pretension not founded in law, Persia must be prepared to encounter
in any scheme of this kind the active opposition of the British Government
in India.2
Lord Aberdeen further instructed Shcil to inform the Persian Minister

that Her Majesty’s Government have heard with regret that it is reported
to be in the contemplation of the Government of the Shah to take part in
the disputes respecting the Government of Bahrain; that such proceeding
will be viewed with much jealousy by the British Government . . .3
A prompt answer to Lord Aberdeen’s Note was made by the Persian
Prime Minister Haji Meerza Aghassi in a statement, dated 15 March
1844. In this, the Persian Premier attempted to introduce his Govern­
ment's evidence for proving the right of Persia to the ownership of
Bahrain. His arguments can be summed up as follows:
First, ‘the Persian Gulf from the commencement of the Shatt ul-Arab
to Muscat belongs to Persia, and that all the islands of that sea, without
exception, and without participation of any other Government, belong
entirely to Persia, as indeed in your Excellency's language, you call that
sea the Persian Gulf.’
Secondly, ‘Bahrain has always been under the authority of the Governor
of Fars, from 1300 a.d.’ But, he added, ‘in the commencement of the reign
of His Majesty the late Shah, the Arabs of the Beni Attubeh came ... and
conquered’ it. ‘From the tribe itself. . . presents have generally been sent
to the Governor of Fars.’
Thirdly, ‘all European and Turkish books of geography as well as the
books of travellers considered Bahrain as Persian.’
Fourthly, Bruce’s agreement of 1822 recognised Persia’s ownership of
Bahrain.4
i f O. 60/102, 1844, Lt-Col Sheil, No. 23, F.O. 1 May 1844 (Extracts of Instruc­
tions from the India Board); F.O. 248/116, Bombay Castle, 29 February 1844,
to the Secret Committee, East India Company.
a F.O. 248/116, 1844. Aberdeen to Sheil, 1 May 1844. 3 Ibid.
4 F.O. 60/113. Shcil to Aberdeen, 18 March 1845; F.O. 60/118, East India
House, 31 July 1845, in reply to India Board; F.O. 31 May 1845. Enclosed Letter
dated 15 March 1844, from Persian Prime Minister, Haji Meerza Aghassi.

■■II