'File 21/7 Arms and Ammunition for the Shaikh of Qatar: Machine Guns for Shaikh of Qatar' [‎146r] (291/320)

31. If the choice is left to Shaikh he will probably
plump for rifles of a foreign make. In 1938 he preferred
German Mausers but was induced to take British .303 rifles.
Please see in this connection pages 224-8 of 1/A/5-I and
17, 18, and 19 of 1/A/5/-II.
32. The Shaikh has now asked for 1,500 rifles, vide
s.3 of file, but the amount that should be allowed him
may be considered in connection with P.A. ? s proposals
regarding police and internal security. There have been
a number of reports in recent years that Shaikh Hamad was
selling rifles to Persians and others. It is suggested
therefore, that the number of rifles supplied Shaikh p
Abdullah should depend on the number of guards considered
necessary for police and internal security purposes.
33. Mr. Stobart may comment on last sentence of para 4
of p.u.c.
34. If ’'police purposes" are to include patrolling the
Qatar peninsula and keeping an eye on the Saudi tribesmen
in their seasonal incursions, light trucks armed with
machine guns would be useful, please see in this connection
s.82 of 38/3-1. Paras 14 and 15 of the Qatar Defence Plan
envisaged the training of the Shaikh's forces in the handling
of modern weapons. A.P.A.'s suggestion at n/para 28 is for
consideration.
35. We have no information regarding the present size
and efficiency of the Shaikh's police force. Para 10 of
the Qatar Defence Plan speaks of an "irregular force of a
few hundred tribesmen". There are also Company guards
chosen by the Shaikh and paid by P.C.L. We have received
no official complaints from P.C.L. regarding thefts iqr but
gsnisaHjcxgMxAx incidental mention (of thefts by Company guards)
is made at page 143 of 38/3-1.
36. Extent of H.M.G.'s obligations vis-a-vis Shaikh is
stated at pages 16, 17, 20, and 21 of 10/3-IX, and extent
of Shaikh’s obligations vis a vis P.C.L. is stated in
Art. 11 of Oil Concession. Company still have 6 rifles
for use of their European staff, vide pages 40-42 and 61
of 28/35, and presumably could ask for more.
J rcrSTL .
Mr. StobarV c^ 29/2/'48.
A.P.A .
P.A.
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