'Relations between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Sheikh of Koweit' [3r] (5/20)
The record is made up of 1 file (10 folios). It was created in 1934. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
correspondence with Ibn Saud had assumed an increasing importance, and tell
him that that correspondence must now cease.
Mr. Rendel concurred. A straightforward control of this nature would be
easier to maintain, and would prevent a repetition of such incidents as the letter
in which Ibn Saud had recently tried to detach the Sheikh of Koweit from his
connexion with His Majesty's Government.
Sir A. Ryan also concurred, and drew attention to the success with which
Tbn Saud was spreading the idea that he might naturally absorb Koweit and was
bound to do so sooner or later. He pointed out that such an idea could never
have prevailed to the extent to which it had, if His Majesty's Government had
equally definitely made known their own special position with regard to Koweit.
The meeting then discussed what point in the correspondence between the
Sheikh and Ibn Saud could most suitably be taken up in connexion with the
reprimand which it was proposed to address to both parties.
Mr. Laithwaite suggested that if it were discovered that the Sheikh had
committed himself to Ibn Saud in regard to the grant of an oil concession in
the Koweit Neutral Zone, this might be an excellent opportunity for checking
him. The question then arose, what action could be taken if the United States
Government, in dealing with whom His Majesty's Government had consistently
emphasised the Sheikh's independence, were to produce communications from
him regarding the grant of a concession in the Neutral Zone ? It was, however,
agreed that His Majesty's Government could demonstrate from the Sheikh's
treaty engagements that he had not been entitled to make any such grant without
our knowledge and consent. Eventually it was agreed that the most suitable
occasion for the proposed representations to the Sheikh and Ibn Saud would be
Ibn Saud's letter suggesting terms for the settlement of the Saudi blockade of
Koweit and warning the Sheikh against His Majesty's Government.
At the conclusion of the meeting Sir A. Ryan raised the question of the
pressure which might be exerted upon Ibn Saud in regard to the Saudi blockade
of Koweit. This blockade had one of two purposes, either to complete the
economic strangulation of Koweit and lead to its complete absorption in Saudi
Arabia, or else the safeguarding of Saudi economic interests. His Majesty's
Government could not possibly allow the first of these alternatives. The question,
therefore, was what real force there was in Ibn Saud's suggestion that his own
purely economic interests required the maintenance of the blockade.
Colonel Fowls suggested that we might well revert to the Sheikh s proposal
that Ibn Saud should have customs posts at a given place along but outside the
Koweiti border, and that this might, if necessary, be coupled with a system of
manifests for Koweiti-Saudi trade. He gave it as his opinion that even if
Ibn Saud were to develop Ras Tanura, possibly with American help, this port was
not likely to compete seriously with Koweit, which served quite a different hinter
land. nor was there any port between the Koweit area and the Ras Tanura area
which could be successfully developed as a rival to Koweit.
Colonel Fowle suggested that on his return to the Gulf on the 16th October
he should discuss the situation with Colonel Dickson,
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.
, Koweit,
who had great experience of the sheikhdom, in the light of the conversations at the
present meeting, and should submit a comprehensive report. It was agreed that
this course should be adopted, and that in the light of the Resident's report and
of the conclusions of the present meeting the question of future policy in Koweit
should be discussed if necessary in the Middle East Official Sub-Committee.
The conclusions of the meeting were as follows ;—
(1) That in dealing with Ibn Saud, His Majesty's Government should
increasingly emphasise the closeness of their relations with the Sheikh.
(2) That the Sheikh should be told that his personal correspondence with
Ibn Saud on official matters was to cease.
(3) That the issue of the. Saudi blockade of Koweit should be taken up with
Ibn Saud by His Majesty's Government on the basis of their obligation
to protect the interests of Koweit.
About this item
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This secret memorandum, printed by the Foreign Office, contains a record of a meeting held at the Foreign Office on 5 October 1933 to discuss relations between Great Britain and the Sheikh of Koweit [Kuwait], Aḥmad bin Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, particularly in regards to Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Aziz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Āl Sa‘ūd]. The following were present at the meeting: Mr George William Rendel (Chair), Eastern Department of the Foreign Office; Mr K R Johnston, Foreign Office; Sir Andrew Ryan, His Majesty's Minister at Jeddah; Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle, 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. ; and Mr John Gilbert Laithwaite, 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. .
The memorandum also includes three appendices:
- 'Appendix A. Note by Sir Andrew Ryan. Ibn Saud's attitude towards Kowait', dated 16 August 1933 (folios 3v-4r);
- 'Appendix B. Provisional Note. Obligations of His Majesty's Government towards the Sheikh of Koweit', 11 October 1933, by Sir John Gilbert Laithwaite (folios 4-6), which includes sections entitled 'A. Nature of the undertakings given', 'B. Constitution of the undertakings given to the Sheikh', and 'Conclusion', with references to various correspondence in the right hand margin;
- 'Appendix C. Supplementary Note. Question of Liability for the Protection of Koweit against Aggression from Outside. 1928-1929', by Sir John Gilbert Laithwaite, dated 6 February, 1934 (folio 6).
There are also a number of enclosures which include correspondence between folios 6 and 10.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (10 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, 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.
Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/B431
- Title
- 'Relations between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Sheikh of Koweit'
- Pages
- 1r:10v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence