Coll 30/21(2) 'Persian Gulf: Koweit - Blockade by Ibn Saud' [‎267v] (545/1010)

Enclosure 2.
E 4949/206/251
Correspondence exchanged between the Delegates of bAUDi Arabia and
Koweit at the Conference held at Koweit between June 17 and 29, 1935,
to discuss a Settlement of the Economic Blockade of Koweit by King
Ibn Baud.
[E 4518/206 25]
I .—Translation of a Letter dated the lUh Rabi Auwal, 1354^ {June 17, 1935) from
A hmad-al-Humaidhi, Humammad-bin-Thunaiyan-al-Chamm, and Khahd-
az-Zaid {Koweit delegates), to Khalid* Abut Wolid, Hamad-as-Sulaiman, and
Abduila-al-Qusaibi {Saudi delegates).
(After compliments.) , . , . , , ,
IN view of what is known to yon and to us, and also to every high-born and
poor person, of the good and friendly relations which have existed for very many
years between the A1 Sabah and the A1 Sand dynasties, more especially between
His Maiesty King Abdul Aziz and his Excellency Sheikh Ahmad-al-Jabir, and
in consequence of the desire of both countries to further strengthen these relations,
by removing the trade blockade of Koweit, we have suggested below the most
suitable method, as seemed to us, for the resumption of the export trade (from
Koweit) with His Majesty’s Kingdom. These are as follows : —
(1) That customs collecting centres should be established within the frontiers
of His Majesty the King. These may consist of one post or more than
one, and in such places as His Majesty the King may choose.
(2) That his Excellency Sheikh Ahmad-al-Jabir shall, for his part, assist to
the best of his power in the control and guiding of all exports to the
above posts or centres. This will be by means of manifests, which will
be issued in triplicate; the first copy to go with the goods, the second
to be handed over to His Majesty’s local agent, Abdulla-an-Nafisi, and
the third one to remain in the customs office of the local Government.
The above is the opinion we hold, and the procedure is one which is recognised
between kingdoms and nations that are good neighbours, as well as by others.
(Usual ending.)
♦ \
II. —Translation of a Letter dated the 23rd Rabi Auwal, 1354 {June 24, 1935),
from the Saudi Delegation to the Koweiti Delegation.
(After compliments.)
WITH reference to the discussion which we had with you to-day in regard
to the resumption of “ Musabalah ” ( cc trade ”) between our country and Koweit,
we beg to reiterate in writing, in addition to what we explained verbally, the good
intentions of our Government, and the affectionate spirit, friendliness, and good
feeling which they have towards the Koweit Government, and to say that they
(the Saudi Government) are prepared to continue conversations with a view to
arriving at a satisfactory conclusion between both sides, and to discuss measures
to remove all misunderstanding for the future. Such conversations, however, must
be on the one clear basis, that the Government of Koweit shall give £ ‘ guarantee
(“ dhaman ”) with regard to goods passing (across frontier) to His Majesty the
King’s territory (i.e., that nothing is smuggled apart from goods sent under
manifests). This, indeed, is what we proposed in the course of our discussions
with you.