'File 53/83 VII (D 147) Kuwait Iraq Smuggling'

Content

This file contains correspondence regarding alleged smuggling activities from Kuwait into Iraq. The majority of the correspondence discusses details regarding arms trafficking from Kuwait into Iraq and incursions into Kuwaiti territory made by Iraqi Customs and Police Forces.

Primarily, the file contains internal correspondence between British officials. It also contains translated copies of correspondence between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, the ruler of Kuwait and the British Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Kuwait as well as correspondence between the British Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The file contains a write-up of a meeting held at the Foreign Office in London in October 1938 that was attended by Taufiq Suwaidi, the Iraqi Minister for Foreign Affairs (ff 125-129).

The file also contains a report on arms traffic in the region from December 1938 that was compiled by a Saudi informant (ff 165-169). The report includes a comparative table of the prices of rifles and ammunition in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait.

A large hand-drawn map of the Arabian Peninsula is contained in the file on folio 173.

Extent and format

1 volume (253 folios)

It is grouped into

‘Arabia’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/537, f 173

Arrangement

File is arranged in chronological order, from earliest at beginning of the file to most recent at end.

An index of topics discussed in the file is contained on folio 1C.

Physical characteristics

Condition: A bound correspondence volume.

Foliation: The file's foliation sequence commences at the title page and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

The file contains the following foliation errors: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D and has the following omissions: 68, 126, 128, 131.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/1/537

Former external reference(s)

A Series: 53/83 VII Confidential Series: D 147

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Jan 1938-31 Mar 1939 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

SmugglingCustoms administration

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'File 53/83 VII (D 147) Kuwait Iraq Smuggling', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/537, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0001fe> [accessed 19 April 2024]

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