'File 14/1- Vol 6 OIL CONCESSIONS MUSCAT' [‎198r] (395/438)

iief. B,L/L
Lius cat
November 'Ibith, 194 S*
/y
I am writing this letter to give you the resiilts of iny talks
over the last few days with His Highness the Sultan.
1 bad been given to understand that His Highness was incensed
at ray having come to an understanding with SHAIKH GEAID BIN JTJMA of the
BAN! KA f AB towards the end of ray stay in BARAIMI last winter. I, there
fore, expressed apologies to the Sultan at our first interview and
explained again that I had come to an agreement with the BANI KA , AB with
the sole object of ensuring that enough country should be open to us for
this v/inter to make a visit by the geologists worth their while. The
Sultan was perfectly contented with the proffered apology and explanation
and seemed to bear no ill will v/hatsoever on that or any other account
which was a more auspicious start to our talks thaKI had anticipated.
3* as you know, His Highness lias not been idle during my absence
between mid-June and the end of October. He has employed a number of
people to clear a passage for cars in the NADI JIZZI which is now open
to traffic and through which one or two cars have already passed.
Security arrangements are, he tells me, adequate provided cars
are accompanied by his representatives but unrestricted traffic is not
yet advisable and he will ultimately have to build one or two towers to
guard the narrowest and most vulnerable portion of the ViADI.
4* SAIHID API'ED BIN IBRAHIM has visited the DHAHIRAH area and has
reconciled the AL BU SHAillS and all other sub-sections of the NA f IM
liith SHAIKH SA«^R BIN SULTAN of BARAIMI who will, in future, act as chief
spokesman on behalf of them all as also that of SHAIKH OEAID BIN JUI.A
and the BANI KA’B.
His Highness has had all the Shaikhs in whom we are, at present,
interested in to Muscat including those of the BANI QITAB of ATLAJ and