'Muscat-Omani relations' [‎157v] (326/412)

approach v/as, as mentioned by the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in his
c- c re.::. : o# , -02 of 27th May, that it would prejudice the
eventual success of the Sultan's plans. In general, it was
essential to work through the Sultan#
-ir, ^ ..ikc^lc^ su-^ested that a possible v/ay for the Sultan to
? x ' (; i i influence into the interior, thereby facilitating oil
Gevelopr.ient, v /ould be by the judicious distribution of gifts, either
0 T . 0r i 00 ds, to iniluential chiefs# i.oney for this purpose
night be provided either by the Oil Gonpany, or if they were
unv.dlling by if the Treasury wore willing to agree. It
was agreed that this suggestion might be put to the Political
Resident.
7 ' Farrell suggested that the R.A.F. might be able to help
the Oil Company to Carry out an aerial survey, Mr. Johnston said
that trie could probably not undertake such a commitment if it
were at all extensive. It was agreed, however, that it would be
worth while asking the Company whether assistance from the R.A.P.
would bo or any use to them, if they had not their own aircraft for
the purpose.
8. 1 r:e c onclusions of the meeting wore as follows:
(a) The reasons in favour of promising the Sultan R .A .P.
assistance at this stage, when the date of the Imam's death could
not be foretold, wore not solidly enough grounded to outweigh the
disadvantages.
(b) Such assistance however as was possible should be given to
the Oil Company to carry out a survey of the interior in order to
assess the oil prospects of Oman, and they might be asked-whether the
--. a . P . could give them any useful assistance in this direction.
The pos^ioility of providing the Sultan with money for gifts to
distribute to local chiefs might also be considered in this connection
9# The India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. undertook to discuss the matter in general
erns with rupr^r^n native:• of P. C.L., whom they were seeing, and to
circulate, for the concurrence of the departments represented at the
meeting, a draft telegram to the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. ."