'File 14/1- Vol 6 OIL CONCESSIONS MUSCAT' [‎73v] (146/438)

as soon as possible the final situation in this regard as it cay not be
riooessary for the Caap&ny to provide a Kiincral expert if the Sultan, lias
aoq ired one by other naans*
1 eoonnaiesanoe of the country on a liiaited scale sac confined to
coastal area from RI3TJT (I7°tl 5^*) to KUTiBAT (1?^ 5*&*5 9 K) along a well
defined actor track, and to the Salalah plain as far as the foothills* oth
HI OT and MDHB1T offer sheltered ariohorage, but whereas (anoiont
frankincenoe port) now can provide no labour, ICJ 3*1 is capable of unloadirig
heavy material such as trucks* The country seetBs to offer na special
physioal difficulties* 4 good oazael track with plentiful water loads from
RlHTfT to CAHBA? Altl on the western frontier along the coast and the crossing
of the 3 &HA mountains which encircle the f alalah plain, offers no special
diiTxoulty to the approaches of the plain beyond*
In concilia ion, the primary consideration here is again one of seourity*
The Sultan, who is not by any means inpoveridhetl, is taking active atepa to
show his strength and assume direct rule* 11 s assurances of security cannot
be said to be given without a real sense of responsibility but the possibility ^
of being involved in an outside raid can, nevertheless, not be excluded*
It was not possible to obtain an opinion from the Tolitioal ©aidant aa he
was r ot in Dir ?AR and it is unlikely that he would tiave oeen iii a position
to express a very definite opinion on the natter* Doourlty here m at be
aasumed to be an inconstant factor and it would be advisable to reounsuit
the dultan nearer the time of the expedition to obtain his oosd'ir. Ation
that the present cal a In the country was still being maintained* Subject to
such a oonfir atlon, a party may proceed by air to SAbALAH by way of HIXAII
(MDKAU«4) and details of the plan, where agreement has been reached with the
ultan, are given as hereunder*
!• The Party to arrive in 3AT*AL4i as the first rxn’t of o*\l and
report to the Sultan personally* This it is hoped saey be
possible during the season
Security will be provided by the Sultan from selectod men
from the household bodyguard for the near and coastal regions,
and from selected tribe.'ira&n with a proportion of household
bodyguards, for the remoter regions* In the fonacr case the
guard will be limited to fifteen and in the latter case to
thirty strong*
Transportation of stores and personnel to 84XJ&4H should be by
B* *A*C* air service* l otor transport for ground exploration
where feasible will be provided by the Sultan from his fleet of
trucks and cars* This will raainly be limited to the track RI3DT •
MtJl BAT along the coast - a distance of apprmirrately 60 miles*
?or all other areas the provisions of camels is undertaken by the
Sultan*
Supplies of food are scarce and will have to be imported from
out»tie. The eeeort will receive a daily ration of one pound weight
of rice/flour in any convenient proportion* The ration iasi» will
not Include dates which they will provide for themselves*
Financing of the arty will be undertaken by the Sultan who will
pay from his coffers for escorts and camels at the agreed rate of
4 larie Theresa dollars per muiv oainel per day* The rate of the
M*T* dollar is here fixed at 2 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. — equivalent to three
shillings* The Tarty may also draw on the Sultan for any other
®oney they say requirej the method of final setUsmerit for all
expenditure incurred being by bank draft or transfer to the
Sultan 9 4 account with arolays mnk, Cairo*