'F-82 82/27 I: QATAR OIL' [‎300r] (626/730)

Mr. Fraser then circulated copies of the draft concession
which Mr. Chisholm was taking out to Qatar. Mr. Wakely
that the draxt could best be considered department ally
in the first instance, and this was agreed, Mr. Fraser, howeTer,
emphasising the anxiety of the Company that it should be dealt,
with as expeditiously as possible.
Mr. Fraser then turned to the activities of the A.P.Q.C. in
Koweit• Here the position was different since Koweit was outside
the area covered by the I.P.O. Convention# For some time past
the A.P.O.C. and the American Gulf Oil Company had both been
negotiating for a concession in Kovfeit, but hitherto the A.P.O.C.
had been unable tq reach any agreement with the Sheiidi.
The Anglo-Persian Oil Company were most anxious that there
should not be a rival foreign oil concern in Koweit on the flank
of their own operations in Persia and this was why they had
themselves wanted to obtain a concession in Koweit. They
had all along felt themselves at a great disadvantage in
negotiating at Koweit in competition with the Gulf Oil
Company, a very wealthy concern, owing to the danger that by
granting too favourable terms to Koweit they might involve
themselves in difficulties with the Persian Government who might
also accuse them of frittering away their energies outside Persia.
Kiey had therefore considered it desirable to endeavour to make
an arrangement with the Gulf Oil Company* An arrangement ox a
nature which fully safeguarded the interests of the A.P.O.G., to
work jointly with them for a concession through a new Company to
he formed on a 50/50 basis, had been signed, and now only awaited
ratification, a decision as to which was expected this week.,
^he negotiations with the Sheikh if the agreement in question
was ratified would be carried on by Mr* Gass, acting on behalf of
A.P # o .C ., and assisted by Major Holmes, on behalf of the Gulf