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Coll 17/35 ‘Iraq. Iraq – Saudi Relations. Demarcation of Frontier.’ [‎24r] (47/112)

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The record is made up of 1 file (53 folios). It was created in 28 May 1937-5 Oct 1940. 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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f : ^ press Fuad Bey for an early statement of the Saudi Arabian
Government’s views;
(b) I hat Sir Andrew Ryan should be confidentially informed that, in view of
the changed situation revealed by the despatch of the 27th December,
1935, from the Deputy High Commissioner for Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , His
Majesty’s Government would now be ready to accept the second of the
two alternative proposals put forward by Fuad Bey on the 15th July
(see paragraph 15 (2) above); but that His Majesty’s Government
considered it preferable not to take the initiative in informing the
Saudi Arabian Government to this effect.
20. Instructions on these lines were sent to Sir Andrew Ryan, and he
accordingly spoke to Fuad Hamza on the 16th March, 1936, reminding him of his
undertaking to submit to King Abdul Aziz the proposals made by Mr. Rendel in
his letter of the 19th July, 1935, and pressed him for an early statement of the
Saudi Arabian Government’s views. Sir Andrew Ryan further intimated to
Fuad Hamza that, if the Saudi Arabian Government found Mr. Rendel’s
proposals impossible of acceptance, His Majesty’s Government might find means
to overcome the difficulties which Fuad Hamza’s own counter-suggestions
appeared to present. On the 20th March Sir Andrew Ryan was instructed that,
if Fuad Hamza definitely rejected Mr. Rendel’s proposals, he might agree in
principle to Fuad Hamza’s “ physical features ” proposal without further
reference home.
21. The action recorded above elicited from Fuad Hamza on the 30th March,
1936, the following oral reply : —
(a) That there should be no departure from the text of the Hadda Agreement;
(b) That the geographical facts should be ascertained (as suggested by
Mr. Rendel);
(c) That delimitation should be effected on the lines of Fuad Hamza’s first
proposal (i.e., delimitation on the ground in the light of the description
by geographical co-ordinates (see (1) in paragraph 15 above)).
22. Sir Andrew Ryan indicated in reply that Fuad’s suggestion under (b) in
the preceding paragraph would lead up more naturally to his “ physical features
proposal than to his “geographical co-ordinates" proposal. Thereupon Fuad
Hamza suggested a combination of both proposals, i.e., a settlement partly on the
basis of physical features, partly on the basis of co-ordinates. On being pressed
to say more exactly what he meant, Fuad Hamza’s final position seemed to be that
geographical facts should be ascertained and that places adjoining the frontier
should be assigned, with reference to the co-ordinates on the 1918 map, in relation
to the general physical structure as shown thereon. This was still somewhat
obscure, but he confessed that, in the last resort, the process would be one of
bargaining.’’ Fuad Hamza stressed the fact that only the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd
frontier was under discussion.
23. This reply was not very helpful, as Fuad Hamza’s two alternative
proposals of the 19th July were incompatible. The essence of the whole problem
was that the Hadda Agreement itself contained these two incompatibilities.
Jlowever, no doors had been closed and Fuad Hamza had, in effect, accepted the
proposals for a new survey and a delimitation commission. The next step was
to draw him back to his “physical features’’ proposal, which was to the
avantage of Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , and away from the idea of delimitation on the basis
of co-ordinates; further, to obtain a clear-cut understanding that the “ physical
features ” proposal was to form the basis of the work of the survey and delimita
tion commission before that commission embarked on its task; and, finally, to
make it clear that there could be no question of “ bargaining.’’
24. Accordingly, Sir Andrew Ryan was instructed to reply to Fuad Hamza
to the effect that His Majesty’s Government were prepared to agree to his
“ phvsical features’’ proposal, provided that he abandoned definitely his
“co-ordinates” proposal. Bargaining was to be excluded, but if the frontier
resulting from a settlement on the basis of “physical features” proved to be
inconveniently distorted, there might still be room for some adjustment with
mutual advantages. On this understanding, His Majesty’s Government would

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Content

The file contains papers mainly relating to the proposed demarcation of the frontier between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, including the issue of the western termination point of the Saudi-Iraq frontier, at the meeting-point of Saudi, Iraqi and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan territory.

The papers largely consist of correspondence between the following:

The file also includes a Foreign Office memorandum entitled ‘The Frontiers between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and Nejd and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and the Hejaz’, which includes a map (see IOR/L/PS/12/2897, f 29).

The file includes a divider, which gives lists of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (53 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 56; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-55; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 17/35 ‘Iraq. Iraq – Saudi Relations. Demarcation of Frontier.’ [‎24r] (47/112), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2897, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100055731870.0x000030> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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