'File 12/2 Treatment of Baharna in Persia' [‎201r] (401/440)

the iraniana who travel from one port in Iran to another
port in Iran. This covers Bahraini subjects, who from the
Iranian standpoint are considered “Iranians". The local
authorities are authorised to issue "JSlme Khabars" to
“Bahrainis" resident in iran who wish to proceed to Bahrain,
but it appears that the Iranian Consular authorities abroad
have been forbidden to issue “Elme Khabars- to Bahrainis
wr.o wish to enter Iran, although they are regarded from the
Iranian point of view as Iranian subjects.
7. it is most unlikely that the Legation will take up
the “old chestnut- of the status of Bahrainis vis-a-vis the
Iranian Government. All that is required for the present
is an order 1 rom the Iranian Government to the Consul at
Basra to give travel permits lElme Khabars; to Bahraini
subjects authorising them to enter Iran without interference
by the Police or Passport authorities. This procedure would
appear to compare with that in force in 1931 vide paragraph 4
of a letter ho.23b-S/31 dated the 5th May 1931 from the
1 olitical Resident to the foreign Becretary to the Government
of India.
8. As local pressure has secured the release of the men
and their return to Basra, the matter is no longer urgent, but
in order to obviate future incidents, it is suggested that a
Bavingram be issued from the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. to the Legation
giving them a very brief account of the facts and asking them
to intervene.
Sc. A.L. A. Dr eel £6
12/12/41.
V ice-Consul.