'File 1/A/38 I Negotiations with Bin Saud re:- Eastern boundary of Saudi Arabia with Qatar & Trucial Oman.' [‎56v] (117/452)

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Saudi territory, and the present difference over Hazim, which the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan
authorities considered as indisputably m Tiansjor
Mr. Rend el put forward personally and unofficially k a . ^
that some of these points might he disposed suggestion was natural
irontier commission. Re explained, nowe^ei, rnax .1 -x f nnnr i
subject to the views of the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan authorities, and that it might be found to
be open to unexpected difficulties.
Fuad Bey received this suggestion with partial assent. He agreed thataj
clarification of the position in regard to the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd frontiei e.g by
the appointment of a frontier or delimitation commission-might well be deal
with m the proposed general negotiations. On the other hand if the question of
the future of Aqaba and Maan were to be left in abeyance, his Government would
have difficulty in touching in any way whatsoever the subject of the Rentier
between Transiordan and the Heiaz.
Mr. Rend el agreed that King Ibn Saud was free to maintain the position
which he had taken up in 1927 on this subject, and thought that His Majesty s
Government would, in these circumstances, probably be content to continue on
the present basis, and not to press for any more formal recognition of the existing
frontier. It would, however, be necessary to consult the various departments of
His Majesty’s Government concerned and the local authorities before saying any
thing more definite. Meanwhile, two points appeared to have emerged from the
present discussion : (1) King Ibn feaud was not yet prepared to crystallise the
present de facto frontier between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and the Hejaz; (2) there might be
certain advantages in including in the proposed negotiations for a general settle
ment some arrangement for the clarification of any points connected with the
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd frontier, regarding which there was any local uncertainty^ 1 )
The next subject which came up for discussion was the Hejaz Railway.
Fuad Bey enquired the views of His Majesty’s Government on the proposal
which he had made to Sir A. Ryan at Jedda for the calling of a technical
conference to discuss the reconditioning of the railway.
It was explained that at first sight His Majesty’s Government had no
objection to the Saudi proposal, but that it had, of course, been necessary to
consult the French Government, and that it was still necessary to consult the
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan authorities. There seemed likely to be no difficulty so far as
the French Government were concerned, and although, pending the receipt of the
views of the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan authorities, it was still impossible for His Majesty’s
Government to make a definite statement on this point, it did not seem likely
that there would be any objection to the present limited proposals of the Saudi
Government.
It should be clearly understood, however, that His Majesty’s Government
could not depart from the attitude they had always taken up on this subject,
i.e., that such wider issues as that of the ownership of the railway could not be
brought into the discussion. The proposed conference could, therefore, only be
agreed to on the clear understanding that it should confine itself to technical
and practical points.
( l ) Confidential Footnote. — The uncertainties regarding the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan frontiers to which
Mr. R end el referred are, in fact, due to the inaccuracy of the maps on which those frontiers were
originally plotted. As a result of this inaccuracy there are places where the frontiers are in
doubt, to an extent of as much as 20 miles. His Majesty’s Government appear to have good legal
grounds for maintaining their own interpretation of the frontier, but the matter has never been
cleared up with the Saudi Government. The suggestions made at this meeting were intended
to lea\e the door open for a settlement of this question, which is becoming one of some
importance, as part of any general settlement that might be reached. It had been recognised
from the first that it was likely to prove impossible to obtain a more formal recognition of the
de facto frontier between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and the Hejaz, and that any attempt to redefine this
de facto frontier might be a very delicate matter. On the other hand, the alignment of the
■eastern part of the fiontiei (which is one of the main points in doubt) depends to a ^reat extent
on the true position of the southern terminal point of the frontier between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and Nejd,
"Tlr L‘ TT'k ^ of ‘. h< j °K ects of an y Tnmsjordan-Nejd Delimitation Commission to
establish. The delimitation oi the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd frontier might thus in effect suffice to enable
His Majesty s Government also to establish the correctness of their interpretation of the
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Hejaz de facto line. r