File 10/5 II Hasa oil: CASOC's activities in Hasa; development of Ras Tannura; Political Agent's visit to Hasa [‎125r] (254/656)

p. Z. 1058/39.
Enclosure in Foreign Office Covering Note
Dated 15th February 1939,
(E 1014/992/91) FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.I.
IMMEDIATE . 15th February, 1939,
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Dear Burkett, / / '
I write in reply to your letter No.S,49699/D.0.C.A. of the
6th February to Baggallay, who is away.
I am not clear from Colonel Burchall's letter exactly what
is proposed. It seems possible that Imperial Airways may have it
in mind to send a representative, or a small party, to visit
parts of Saudi Arabia in the neighbourhood of Bahrain, in order
to help the Standard Oil Company of California to lay out landing
grounds in that neighbourhood and to erect wireless stations
there. If this is what is intended, we are strongly of opinion
that the British Company's representative or representatives
should not seek to visit Saudi Arabia for these purposes without
the knowledge and consent of the Saudi Arabian Government.
We have good reason to believe that the Saudi Arabian
authorities are in general reluctant to allow any British
enterprise to work in that part of Saudi Arabia, They are
rather suspicious of anything which they may regard as an attempt
to extend British influence in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. area. Thus it
is quite possible that the Saudi Arabian authorities, if asked
for permission for Imperial Airways representatives to visit
that part of Saudi Arabia, would refuse their consent. And if
Imperial Airways were to send people, without the knowledge of
the Saudi Authorities, the latter would no doubt object very
strongly if they got to hear of it later.
On the other hand, it is possible that Colonel Burchall only
means to supply the Standard Oil Company of California with
Esq. , O.B.E. , M.C. , advice/
Air Ministry.