Skip to item: of 18
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

'Memorandum on the Oil Concessions in the Arab Sheikhdoms' [‎5r] (9/18)

This item is part of

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. .

Transcription

This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.

Apply page layout

is an independent state and in fact already has a Treaty with
the United States, although it is probable that the Sultan
himself will not welcome the opening of direct relations with
any other foreign power than ourselves^
15, As regards the immediate question of the development of
oil in the Sheikhdoms, it is, of course, to the Sheikhs'
immediate interests that this should proceed as fast as possible
in view of the royalties which they will obtain. Hitherto the
British Oil Companies have lagged somewhat behind the Bahrein
Oil Company (and C.A.S.O.C. in Saudi-Arabia) in the matter of
development. Insofar as they have financial interests in the
British Companies (viz, the Kuwait Oil Company and Petroleum
Concessions Ltd,), it is also to the interest of the American
shareholders concerned that development should be speeded up«
16. If in connection with any discussions with the United
States the question were to arise of requiring the Sheikhs to
make adjustments in their existing agreements with H,M,G. or the
oil companies, or to enter into now arrangements in the interests
of Anglo -aimer i can policy (for example the U,S. have already put
forward a suggestion of piping Kc»veit oil across Arabia to a
Mediterranean port) it may be said that, while we could in the
last resort no doubt induce the Sheikhs to f^ll into line, this
would probably not be without detriment to our general relations
with them, and we should be reluctant to put pressure on them
unless it could be shown that they themselves would stand to
benefit from the measures proposed.
External Department,
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.
March, 1944.

About this item

Content

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.

Written in
English in Latin script
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

'Memorandum on the Oil Concessions in the Arab Sheikhdoms' [‎5r] (9/18), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B478, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023882736.0x00000a> [accessed 29 March 2024]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023882736.0x00000a">'Memorandum on the Oil Concessions in the Arab Sheikhdoms' [&lrm;5r] (9/18)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023882736.0x00000a">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x000029/IOR_L_PS_18_B478_0009.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x000029/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image