'File 5/7 Mining of Burgan Bitumen' [‎128r] (257/282)

Telegram
From
Q,
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kuwait
To 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. , Bushire
No 391
Dated 16th May 1944.
You are probably aware that Kuwait Oil Company
mined bitumen for the Army under contract which terminated in
1943. After that Army left approximately 43,000 cubic feet
mined bitumen (about 1700 tons excluding sand) its property
lying in Kuwait Oil Company stores area at Shuwaikh and at
mine site Burgan. Jameson promised Sheikh to asphalt Kuwait
roads for him and Scott wants Army bitumen for this purpose.
He asked Army to give it to him free and they asked him to
quote a price. He has now come to me asking our help to get
bitumen for nothing. I told him it would have been better to
come to me in first place but promised I would do what I could
to help as Sheikh is very keen on having roads asphalted and
I ac-cept Scotts statements that bitumen really valueless to
Army as it would cost more than it is worth to move it and
it was mined by Kuwait Oil Company for Army on favourable terms.
In view of these considerations, and particularly as Sheikh
has been very co-operative in allowing 1.7.T. facilities free,
I shall, if you have no objection, address Or. H.Q Paiforce
asking them to give up bitumen free or at nominal price to
Company. They are probably only trying to insist on a sale in
view of some 7ar Office ruling to their Accounts Department
that all Paiforce discarded material should be sold.
== Political ==