'File 3/2 Interference with Kuwait Sailing Craft on High Seas by Persian warships.' [‎260r] (519/550)

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Despatch No.7.
No.99(0.160/15/49)
BRITISH EMBASSY,
TEHRAN.
16th March, 1949.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following comments
on^correspondence resting with your ;espatch No.53 (E1561/
1023/91) of the 5th March about the settlement of complaints
rade by British protected dhows against the Persian autho
rities.
2. It appears to me that the choice of methods and channels
in this matter must depend on the objects which His Majesty’s
Government have in view. If it is intended to secure redress
for the owners of dhows whose property has been confiscated,
or who have been otherwise maltreated, I am still of the opinion
that this is more likely to be achieved by representations
from His Majesty’s Consul-General or the Senior Naval Officer
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to Admiral Zelli. If, on the other hand,
as suggested by 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. in paragraph 2 of his
despatch No.4(31/6/49) of the 13th January, the main object
is to convince the Persian authorities that we attach impor
tance to the rights of dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. owners, representations should
be made in Tehran. It is, however, unlikely that such repre
sentations will secure redress for the complainants unless
they are followed by up in Khorramshahr and substantiated
by the oral testimony of the complainants themselves.
3. In view of the difficulties to which both you and Sir
R. Hay have drawn attention, I agree that representations
should only be made in cases in which 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.
considers this procedure appropriate and so long as masters
of dhows are not required to appear at Khorramshahr against
their will.
4. Subject to your instructions I propose to answer the
Persian note, of which a translation was enclosed with my
despatch No.408 of the 20th December last, to the effect’
that while there is no objection to masters who have business
in Khorramshahr explaining their grievances to the Persian
Naval authorities, His Majesty's Government cannot agree
that this is a nece sary preliminary to the action called for
in my note to the Under-Secretary of State dated the 28th
October, last, of which I had the honour to send you a copy
in my despatch No.350.
5. Owners of dhows might, I suggest, be told that if they
have occasion to make complaints, they may - if they are in
Khorramshahr or Basra - lay them before His Majesty's Consul-
General, Ahwaz, who will then, if he sees fit, approach the
Persian Naval authorities direct.
6. I am sending copies of this despatch to the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the Senior Naval Officer in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and to His Majesty's Consul-rGeneral at Ahwaz.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect.
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
(Sgd.) J.H. LE ROUGETEI.
The Rt. Hon. Ernest Bevin, M.P.
t tc., utc., ETc.,
Forei gn QiX ice, London.