'File 86/1 III (D 81) Kuwait Oil. Eastern and General Syndicate'

Content

The volume contains correspondence relating to the draft oil concession agreements presented to the Shaikh of Kuwait (Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ) by the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (A.P.O.C.).

The correspondence focuses particularly on the individual clauses within the two draft agreements and a comparison of them for the Shaikh in order that he can make an informed decision on which concession proposal is best for his country. The memorandum comparing the drafts is produced by the Petroleum Department of the British Government and two copies of it are contained in the volume (folios 48-64, 153-161).

Also included in the volume is correspondence between the US Embassy in London and the Foreign Office regarding what the US embassy view as unacceptable delays in the amount of time it has taken the British Government to discuss the question of the Kuwait concession and repeating their concerns that the Eastern and General Syndicate will not be compared favourably alongside the British A.P.O.C. proposal. Also outlined by the Foreign Office are their fears that the Government's delays in responding to the US in this matter could potentially affect more serious negotiations in the future between the two countries.

Other items of interest in the volume include:

• Letters from the Admiralty and the Army Council expressing their concerns over strategic and military assets in the Gulf should American interests be permitted to acquire the oil concession in Kuwait;
• Enquiries from 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to the Secretary of State for India asking if anything can be done to assist the Shaikh of Kuwait with his grievances regarding his date gardens in Iraq and Ibn Sa'ud's blockade;
• A letter from the Secretary of State, Foreign Office (on behalf of the Secretary for Mines) to the Director of the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited outlining the history and background to an oil concession in Kuwait dating back to 1917 when A.P.O.C. first undertook preliminary examinations in Kuwait and Bahrain (folios 76-81);
• Details of proposals by A.P.O.C. to increase the financial offer of their concession
• Letter from the 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 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. regarding anti-A.P.O.C. and anti-British propaganda which is being circulated in Kuwait (folios 106-108).

Extent and format

1 volume (190 folios)

Arrangement

The contents of the file have been arranged mostly in chronologically order.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The principal foliation runs from the first folio to last folios and consists of numbers enclosed in a circle in the top right hand corner. A second former sequence commences on the first folio of writing and concludes on folio 173, consisting of pencil numbers (not circled) in the top right hand corner. This sequence has gaps. Foliation anomalies: 1A-1D, 21A, 162A

Written in

English in Latin 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/15/1/640

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Series: D 81 A Series: 86/1 III

History of this record

Date(s)

14 Jun 1932-31 Jan 1933 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Concessions, Oil, KuwaitForeign relationsPropagandaBilateral relationsColonial policyMilitary policy

Places

Kuwait

People & organisations

AdmiraltyAnglo-Iranian Oil Company LimitedEastern and General Syndicate LimitedPolitical Agent, KuwaitSecretary of State for IndiaEmir of KuwaitSecretary of State for the ColoniesEmbassy to the United KingdomPetroleum DivisionFrank Holmes

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'File 86/1 III (D 81) Kuwait Oil. Eastern and General Syndicate', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/640, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000266> [accessed 20 April 2024]

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