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'File 5/14 Continental shelf and marine area' [‎12r] (23/286)

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The record is made up of 1 file (141 folios). It was created in 7 Jun 1948-17 Sep 1949. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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■■ ■ ■
2
5. The State Department agreed with Eastern Department’s
comments on the second point discussed in paragraph 3 of their
letter,
6. Paragraph 4, The State Department geographer produced
a map which together with an explanatory memorandum, is being sent
by bag. He emphasised that it was drawn with the object of giving
the divisions of the area a strictly scientific basis and that
although there would no doubt have to be divergencies for political
reasons from the boundaries suggested, it would be advantageous,
in dealing with the States concerned to start from some clearly
logical principle. His map would, in our view, need considerable
changes if it is to be acceptable to the States concerned. If
his principled were adopted further information would be needed
about the status of some islands, the sovereignty over which is
undefined or disputed.
7. Paragraph 6. In spite of our strong representations
to the contrary the State Department still adhere to the view that
it would be wiser not to face the Persian Government with a mi
accompli. This would, in their view, encourage anti-British and
anti-American element in Persian and would engender in the Persian
Government a lack of confidence in both our Governments even if
they did not learn of our intentions in advance through a leakage*.
8. • The State Department suggest therefore that after consult
ation with his British colleague, the United States Ambassador in
Tehran might advise the State Department whether in his opinion it
would be desirable to discuss the question privately with the Shah
on a suitable occasion. He would explain the position, say that
the British and United States Governments did not desire to stir
up trouble in dealing with this urgent question, and ask the Shah
suggestions as to how the matter might be settled without raising
political difficulties. He would point out that an orderly and
rapid solution was as in the interests of Persia as of any fcther
country, since the Persians could hardly wish to see Soviet concern!
drilling in the Gulf. Any agitation would only help the Soviet
Government to stir up trouble and the latter would have no chance
of doing this if the Persian Government were prepared to acquiesce
in the proposed division. If the matter were raised It could be
suggested to the Shah that the Persian Government could reserve
their "rights” to Bahrain whilst accepting the proposals themselves,
If the Shah refused to agree in spite of these arguments, he would
be told that the British and American Governments intended to go
ahead anyway in view of the urgency of the problem. > This
compromise suggestion would, in the State Department's view, ensure vj
that the proposals were not held up whilst at the same time giving
the Persian Government no excuse for saying that they had not been
consulted by two supposedly friendly governments in a matter in
which they had a considerable interest.
9. A similar approach could also be made by His Majesty's
representative, although in the State Department's opinion it might
be preferable, in view of our own interest in Bahrain and Kuwait,
to leave this to the United States Ambassador who would, of course,
keep in close touch with His Majesty's Embassy. Henderson hoped tt
that you would be prepared to give serious consideration to his
suggestions. He emphasised the State Department's concern that
we should not go behind the back of the Persian Government by saying
that even if the United States Ambassador in Tehran agreed with the
views so far expressed by His Majesty's Embassy there, the State
Department might feel obliged to overrule him.
10. Paragraph 7. State Department agree. They think that
the companies concerned might be asked to observe a self-denying
ordinance in any disputed areas in which oil might exist. 11
11. Paragraph 8. This is largely covered by the State
Department's comments on paragraphs 5 and 6. In their view the
first public eifction should be the assertion of jurisdiction by the
States concerned over the natural resources in the subsoil of the
areas allotted to them.

About this item

Content

This file contains papers relating to a plan to extend the sovereignty of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. into the continental shelf and marine area of the Gulf. The correspondence mentions consultations with the United State's State Department, and the reasons for making joint Anglo-American plans to coordinate the extension of the territorial waters of various Arab Gulf states. Many of the letters discuss this as both a response to Iranian ambitions in the Gulf, and as a cautionary measure so as to avoid conflict between American and British oil interests in the region. Of note are several discussions on the choice of terminology to describe the marine territory in question, such as sovereignty versus jurisdiction.

Extent and format
1 file (141 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 143; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

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English in Latin script
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'File 5/14 Continental shelf and marine area' [‎12r] (23/286), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/267, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045090753.0x000018> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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