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'File 8/65 VII Renewal of Commercial Treaty 1939.' [‎15r] (29/140)

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The record is made up of 1 file (68 folios). It was created in 7 Dec 1949-19 Dec 1950. 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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Urgent & Confidential*
31/8/65/30.
H.B.M's Consulate and
Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ,
MUSCAT. 4th December, 1950.
Yj dear Sir ’ upert,
I have suggested elsewhere that we should stick to what
I understood was to be the original plan of
a) a Consular Convention, and
b) a Ccranercial Treaty.
2 .
I have discussed the matter generally with Woods-Ballard
on more than one occasion, and he is as convinced as I am that this
is by far the best approach to the Sultan, and will receive his most
ready response and friendliest reaction. If it is desired to make
reservations about jurisdiction over our nationals (and I new think
we should), this can be treated as a separate issue and be disposed
of by the exchange of letters.
3. As regards the Consular Convention I believe that the
Sultan wouldAwithout hesitation or revision a draft which contained
the same provisions as the 1949 Convention agreed to between the
Uinited States of America and the United Kingdom. , on the ground that
what was good enough for them and their lawyers would be good enough
for him. Any other draft, he would go through with a fine tooth conb,
and be scared stiff of ulterior motives and hidden meanings for, as
he has so often said, he has no legal department or the like, but is
just one person ranged against all the facilities available to the
other party.
4. The same will apply to the Commercial Treaty - any draft
on the lines of that with some other nation would do, or if none is
suitable, freed of references to jurisdiction and representation, and
confined to most favoured nation treatment, and/or treatment not less
favourable than that enjoyed by his own subjects, the Sultan would
find little to worry him.
5 # Then, thirdly, the question of extra territorial rights
would, as suggested, be settled by verbal discussion and confirmed
by the exchange of letters at the time of the signature of the two
formal documents.
6 . This the Sultan would find far more palatable and in
keeping with his dignity, and muoh less likely to emba/ass him in
similar negotiations with other states, in particular India and
Pakistan, if they should also try for the exercise of jurisdiction
over their nationals in the Sultanate, which I believe he is deter
mined to resist. In fact even in our case I think he will only wish
to compromise on this point over Citizens of the United Kingdom and
Colonies. Pven from our side, such discrimination would be difficult
to provide for except by letter.
7.
His Excellency Sir Rupert Hay, K.C.I.E., C.S.I
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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
BAHRAIN.

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Content

This file relates to the termination and possible replacement of the 1939 Commercial Treaty between Great Britain and the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. The file documents preparations for the drafting of a new treaty between the two parties (eventually concluded in December 1951 and ratified in May 1952), following the Sultan of Muscat and Oman's [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] notice of termination of the existing treaty in February 1950.

Related matters of discussion include the following: the question of whether Britain should seek to enter into a separate consular convention with the Sultanate, in addition to negotiating a new commercial treaty; arrangements for the extension of the 1939 treaty.

The file features the following principal correspondents: the 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. and Consul, Muscat; the 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman; officials of the Foreign Office.

Extent and format
1 file (68 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 70; 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.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 8/65 VII Renewal of Commercial Treaty 1939.' [‎15r] (29/140), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/259, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100059459066.0x00001e> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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