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'Memorandum on the Oil Concessions in the Arab Sheikhdoms' [‎4r] (7/18)

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The record is made up of 1 file (9 folios). It was created in 13 Mar 1944. 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. .

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@
7.
The Schikh hoy ever has hitherto refused to discuss his rights in
the Zon^ vith any party.
Oil concessions in liuscat, the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. and Qatar
are held "by subsidiaries of petroled Concessions Ltd., the
capital of this Company Doing divided in equal shares "between
British, French, Dutch (Royal Dutch Shell) and American holders.
In none of these areas, except Qatar, has oil developncnt passed
the exploration stage. In Qatar three test wells had "been drill
"before the Company received' orders from in June 1942 to
plug their wells and suspend operations for the duration of the
war. These restrictions have now "been relaxed and it is under
stood that plans are under discussion at Washington for the renewal
of operations at Qatar, A separate note dealing in more detail
with all these concessions is attached as an Appendix,
12, interests in the oil concessions . In the case of
all the various oil concessions in the Persian G-ulf Sheikhdoms
the Company concerned has signed a political agreement with H,M,G,
whereby in recognition of HJvI.G's sx^ecial position in the Sheikhdoms,
undertakings are given designed to safeguard the position of the -
political -uthorities, to ensure that British strategic and other
interests are respected and to enable the preduction and resources
of the Company to be placed at the disposal of H.M.Gr, should this
be rendered necessary by national emergency or war. The
Companies further undertake to remain British by registration
with at least one of their DLrectors a British subject, and to
employ as many British subjects or subjects of the Ruler as is
consistent with the efficient carrying on of the undertaking.
Thus it is ensured that relations with the Rulers should be
through, or at any rate under the supervision of, the British
Political authorities. This safeguards our own interests and
is, as a matter of fact, also of considerable assistance to the
Companies since it would be quite impossible for them without
such/

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This printed secret memorandum by the 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. , dated 13 March 1944, concerns oil concessions in the Arab sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in the context of the United States of America's discussions on oil in the Middle East. The aim of the memorandum is to give an account of British interests, explain British relations with the rulers of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. states and British policy more generally, and describes various oil concessions that have been granted in these states.

The memorandum, which is signed with the initials 'F.A.K.H' of the External Department of the 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. , consists of six sections: 'The Geographical Situation and Treaty position of the Sheikhdoms', including Koweit [Kuwait], Bahrein [Bahrain], Qatar, 'The seven petty Sheikhdoms of the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ', and Muscat; 'Strategic importance of the Sheikhdom'; 'The nature of our relations with the Rulers and the importance of maintaining our present exclusive position'; 'Oil Concessions in the Gulf'; ' HMG Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. 's interests in the oil concessions'; and 'US interests in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. '.

This first section of the memorandum is followed by an appendix entitled 'Details of the Oil Concessions granted in the Arab Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ' (folios 6-9) and is divided into sections covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah, Kalba, Ras-al-Khaimah [Ras al-Khaymah], Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm al Quwaim [Umm al-Qaywayn], Qatar, and Muscat.

Extent and format
1 file (9 folios)
Physical characteristics

Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 1 and terminates at folio 9, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 item also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

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English in Latin script
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'Memorandum on the Oil Concessions in the Arab Sheikhdoms' [‎4r] (7/18), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B478, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023882736.0x000008> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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