'File 0210 Fujairah affairs' [‎36r] (71/78)

British Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ,
Sharjah,
The Sth June, 1948.
CONFIDENTIAL.
D.O.No.647.0210
My dear Felly,
Please refer to your demi-official letter No#
C/S-19 dated the 31st May, 1948.
2. While I agree that we should not increase by
recognizing Fujairah's independence the number of Shaikhs
on the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. with whom we have direct relations, I
am afraid I am opposed to the idea of recognizing Fujairah
as subject to Muscat. His territory is clearly situated North
of Khatim Malaha and Muscat renounced all claim to it 99 years
ago — vide the enclosures to my draft letter sent with my
demi-official letter No.328.0226 dated the 8th April, 1948.
3. In the past he was subject to Jawassim influence
which at that time meant Sharjah; but as halba broke away from
Sharjah so did Fujairah and the late Shaik)' of Fujairah swore
allegiance to the Regent of ffalba — vide Alban's memorandum
No.K/7 dated the 6th September, 1941. One of the reasons urged
against our recognizing Fujairah's independence in the past was,
I believe, our desire not to offend the Jawassim.
4. To regard him as a subject of Muscat would be a
complete break with tradition and a serious handicap for Kalba,
for Fujairah's territory is an enclave in the middle of Kalba. •
6. Further, Fujairah is hostile to both Muscat and
Sharjah. For the Sultan of Muscat actively to try to establish
his authority over him would lead to fighting and probably to a
setback for Muscat; and the Shaikh of Sharjah would almost
certainly suffer the same fate. I regard the chances of the
Company getting a concession through Muscat or Sharjah as remote
indeed. Fujairah is, however, believed to be well disposed to
wards the new Regent of Kalba and, provided the Regent guarantees
him a sufficiently large proportion of any receipts from the
Oil Company, he would perhaps agree to approach the Company
through Kalba or could be approached in that way.
6. Such an arrangement would also have the advantage
of reconsolidating end eventually strengthening Kalba which may
one day again be amalgamated with Ras al Khaimah. I would not
suggest that tie new Regent would have much if any control over
Fujairah at first; but at least the two Shaikhs would be on good
terms, whereas the Sultan of Muscat or the Shaikh of Sharjah
would be equally powerless and at the same time vigorously opposes*
by Fujairah. If he is warned by us not to do so, I do not
apprehend that Fujairah would try to usurp the Regency of Kalba.
7. If you could agree that Fujairah should be approached
(or should be told, when he next raises the subject, to make his
own approach) through Ka ba, I would now ascertain the reactions
of the new Regent. The alternative regarding Fujairah as subject
to Kalba is, I think, to recognize him as independent. The Sultan
of Muscat will almost certainly claiim that he can give an oil
concession for Fujairah; but he will be quite unable to help the
Company to work it, if they ever wish to do so.
C.J. Felly, Esquire, C.B.E.,
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
Bahrain.
Yours sine rely,
n