Page 275 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

BRITISH SAUDI — CONTROVERSY OVER BURAIMI 213
ciscd any jurisdiction over the Buraimi region. The British Govern­
ment itself was not in favour of any Turkish expansion in Arabia
beyond those parts which were actually under their hands. The
British Government thus took the view, in 1878, that Turkish sover­
eignty should not be admitted to exist
as far southeast as Ojair [Uqair*], and that on this understanding the Turks
may be held responsible for maritime disorders within the confines of the
coast of al-Hasa ending at Ojair.1
Lorimer makes only brief references to the political status of
Buraimi after 1869. Me states:
After the expulsion of the Wahhabis in 1869, Buraimi ceased to play an
important part in the general history of Trucial Oman and became an annex
to the principality of Abu Dhabi.2
and
Buraimi is independent, but the influence of the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi
in the district is strong and increasing.3
But in a third statement Lorimer seems to lay emphasis on the political
independence of Buraimi:
The district... is not subject to any recognised ruler.4
As regards I bn Ruzaiq, he also makes a brief reference to the inde­
pendent position of Buraimi after 1869 when he states:
Azzan, however, left Bercimy after its capture . . . and it remained under
the authority of the Benu-Naim who paid tribute for a while.5

An attempt will now be made to show the extent of control over
Buraimi during this period, by (a) Muscat, (b) Abu Dhabi and
(c) Saudi Arabia.6
1 Saldanha, J. A., Precis of Turkish Expansion on the Arab Littoral of the Persian
Gulf the Hasa and Katif Affairs, Political and Secret Department (1904), pp. 100-2.
It appears that the British Government could not, at the time, enter into discussions
with Turkey for the limitation of her influence on the Arabian coast on the basis
of the above view taken by the British Government. This was because Turkey did
not recognise such limitations on her sovereignty and jurisdiction. (See Saldanha,
ibid., pp. 100-7.)
3 Lorimer, p. 770.
3 Lorimer, II, p. 264.
4 Lorimer, p. 1368.
5 Badger, op. cit. Introduction, p. cxvi.
4 The following illustration is based on Lorimer and on the views of British
officials and travellers who paid occasional visits to Buraimi during this period.
This appears to be the only data available.