'File 19/191 IV (C 103) Bahrain, Persian Claim To' [‎247r] (496/681)

177
19/191.
CECRLT
OTP
Telegram S Indiv CYPHljR
From Cokmonwealth Relations Office, London.
r - 1 ' 0 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. . Bahrain.
No.35.
l^ntec ?nd received ^Ist January 194S.
II-PORT ANT.
SECRIT.
following is repetition of Tehran telegram No.7S of
January LLth to Foreign Office repeated V-ashington I, oscovv and
British I iddle East Office begins:
"Although so far the Government have shown no signs
of committing themselves to any initiative agitation about
Bahrain is undoubtedly gathering momentum.
American embassador tells me that several report. 0
have reached him lately to effect that H.Iv.G. would not contest
Persian claim to sovereignty over Bahrain since it would
embarrass American Oil Companies and thereby United states
Government whose growing influence in I. iddle East v e are
dftprr'inec to neutralise. This is of course typical of Soviet
^ ' ' parcel of a Loviet-inspired plan to driv
a vedge between united States and oursleves in this country
^ ; ' 0 recently been much in evidence. Latest report is to
t 2 e erre ? t t5lat a Bill creating a Persian electoral district
Bahrain will shortly be rushed through lajlis and that
immediately t;i€reaJ ter v.ith -^ritish consent a Persian military
force will reoccupy the island.
•
ieither Allen nor I are impressed by these wild
stories out v/e are agreed that time has come to brinr Persia
. eartn. i shall see ^ rime i.inister tomorrov/ in
another connection and propose to speak to him on the lines
suggested in your telegram I mo.948 of ? January 14th . The
^rime Minister has however little authority. The appointment
? 2 ^-inister of 1'ore ign Afi'airs is still in suspense and it
L t frorn certain tnat government Vv 'ill survive much longer.
v representations are therefore unlikely to have any positive
efiect. ; ould you consider having a suitable question asked
in .'ouse of Commons? Such a statement might be exploited bv
nere. )n tne- other hand it should have double
efiect oi clarifying'attitude of H.Iw.G. in regard to Bahrain
xK,. of discouraging. _? l atest attempts to embroil us with the
Americans in this country."
End s.
3
- SECRO -
RHL.
isc.
f/