"F-82 82/27 I: نفط قطر" [و‎‎٧‎٨] (٧٣٠/١٧٤)

5./
out in this area shall not be of a merely blocking nature, but
that the concessionaire shall definitely intend to develop tlB
field, ani that the terms shall be reasonable frcm tlB point of
view of the Sheikh. He is broadly speaking c£ opinion that
exception need not be taken to the present agreement on either of
these grounds. The one question of importance which then
arises is the extent to #iich consideration needs to be gjvm..
to. the fact that the Eastern axxi General.. Syndic ate are known
to have displayed a certain interest in the question at
securing an oil concession in Qatar#
The Secretary of State appreciates the delicate
nature of the position in regard to the Government of the
United States of America as regards oil deposits in the Gulf.
In the present case, however,- ; 'the exclusive right which has
been granted to explore for oil fcr two years is expressed as a
renewal and extension of a previous permit; the Eastern and
General Syndicate have shown no signs of following up the
tentative enquiries which appear to have been made by them,
) the agreement itself is one yfcich may be regarded as suitable
from the point of view of the Sheikh; and ths Secretary
of State is of opinion, therefore, that, quite apart from the
general desirability of securing exploitation of these
deposits, if they exist, by a British Company such as the Anglo-
Persian Oil Company, there is no obligation on His Majesty's
Government to withhold approval frcm the exploration licence
now granted on the chance that the Eastern aixl General Syndicate
might desire to compete. Difficulty ought not, in his vlaw,
to be anticipated in furnishing any necessary explanatiai on
these lines to the United States Government, if any
representations in the matter should be received from that
Government.