'File 53/54 V (D 129) Kuwait Blockade' [‎5r] (13/384)

Should your esteemed delegation agree to negotiate on this basis, we are
prepared once more to discuss the subject in order to arrive at the conclusion
sought by both sides. .
(Usual ending.)
Note by 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. . —The above letter, as will be seen, is worded some
what differently from what the Saudi delegate laid down as the only basis for
future talks (see my telegram No. 211 of the 25th June), namely, that Koweit must
agree before anything else to guarantee that not even a single smuggler got across
the border. They appear to be playing for safety. The Koweit delegates have
not missed this point, and in their reply have pinned the Saudi delegates down to
what they actually did say.
III.— Translation of a Letter dated the 24^ Rabi Auwal, 1354 {June 25, 1935),
from the Koweit Delegation to the Saudi Delegation.
(After compliments.)
\ WE have received your esteemed letter dated the 23rd Rabi Auwal, 1354
(June 24, 1935), and have understood what you stated as to your good intentions
as well as the good intentions of His Majesty King Ibn Saud's Government,
namely, that you are prepared to continue conversations with a view to arriving at
a satisfactory conclusion between both sides, and to discuss measures to remove all
misunderstanding, but that such conversations must from now onward be on the
one basis, that the Government of Koweit shall first give " guarantee "
(" dhaman ") with regard to goods (smuggled) passing across the frontier. You
added that if our delegation would agree to the "guarantee " condition on behalf
of the Koweit Government, then you would be prepared to continue the talks.
We wish, therefore, now to make the matter quite clear. The situation is, as
we suggested to you in our letter dated the 16th Rabi Auwal, 1354 (June 17, 1935),
and as was also discussed with you in yesterday morning's meeting (June 24,
1935). You stated that the " guarantee " system was desired by His Majesty's
(Saudiyeh) Government, which was that nothing should be smuggled, and only
goods exported according to manifests should be allowed to pass into Saudi
territory. That should any smuggler be caught, his goods would be confiscated,
and the Koweit Government would have to pay the customs duty imposed on same.
Also that should this happen more than three times. His Majesty's Saudi Govern
ment should have the right to cancel the agreement.
At the same meeting we replied to you that the Koweit Government would
give you their word of honour to do all in their power to prevent smuggling. And
that should any smuggling be discovered (within her territory) the Koweit Govern
ment would inflict the severest of punishments on the evil-doer.
As regards the '' guarantee '' insisted on by you—with every precaution
taken and every goodwill, we say this cannot be realised. Hence it is not reason
able of you to make such a condition. That which the Saudi Government is afraid
of {e.g., smuggling), should it occur, will be trifling and very small, because of the
measures that will be taken by His Majesty's Saudi Government and the Govern
ment of Koweit. It should certainly not affect the goodwill, and the desire for a
reciprocal agreement between His Majesty the King and his Excellency Sheikh
Ahmad-al-J abir.
We have every hope, however, that owing to your deep insight you will not
allow a doubtful and unreasonable defect to stand in the way of good
understanding.
We beg for a reply to this, and express the hope that we shall come to a good
understanding.
(Usual ending.)