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THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE ARABIAN GULF STATES
formula on the basis of which a satisfactory solution of the chronic
dispute could be achieved. The Iranians made several proposals.
They suggested referring the dispute to the Security Council, under
Articles 34 & 35 of the United Nations Charter, or, as a colonial
issue, to the General Assembly’s Special Committee or to the
International Court of Justice for adjudication of the dispute as a
legal issue. These proposals were rejected by the Bahrainis as being
dilatory and also inapplicable to the case of Bahrain , which, in their
view, enjoyed an independent status from both Britain and Iran.
The Bahrainis suggested that the dispute be referred, for mediation,
to regional organisations or to Heads of states friendly to both
parties. The Iranians did not respond favourably to this suggestion
and the face-to-face discussions were abruptly ended. However,
the goodwill expressed by both delegations at the end of the
informal talks greatly helped to leave the door open for seeking an
acceptable formula for a settlement in the future. Consequently,
indirect contacts were made between Bahraini and Iranian officials,
through British diplomatic channels. As a result of such contacts,
the two parties finally reached a common ground when they agreed,
in the early part of 1969, to discuss the details of a plan which would
allow the United Nations Secretary-General to mediate in the
dispute through the use of his “good offices’’.1 This procedure
required an understanding by the parties on the extent of the “terms
of reference’’ of the Secretary-General’s mission.
Agreement on the Terms of Reference of the Secretary-General's
Mission and the Procedure Thereof
The Iranian initiative in accepting a peacefully negotiated
settlement of the Bahrain’s question was made at the press
conference held by his Majesty the Shahanshah of Iran at Delhi on 4
January, 1969.2 At that conference, the Shah unequivocally
denounced the use of force as a means of imposing Iranian rule over
Bahrain, against the wishes of her own people. The Shah implicitly
expressed his willingness to offer the Bahraini people the right of
“self-determination’’, in accordance with the principles of the
United Nations Charter. Undoubtedly, the Shah’s statement
overruling the use of force against Bahrain, after the date of British
withdrawal from the Gulf area by the end of 1971, was greatly
welcomed by Britain and the Arab Governments in the area.
Moreover, the Iranian move gave impetus to the conciliatory efforts
made by Britain and the Arab countries concerned to find a
satisfactory solution to the Bahrain-Iran question.
1. The above information is based on private notes of the author.
2. For a summary of the Shah’s statement, see The Times (London), 7 Jan, 1969, p.
4. Also see Keesing’s, op. cit, p. 23998.