'File 11/44 Leading Personalities in Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia' [‎41v] (82/96)

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Incurred the King’s displeasure by intrigues and
attempts at mediating between the French and the
Syrians and the latter and the Lebanese when on a
visit to the Lebanon during the troubles in Novem
ber 1943. Was permitted to return to Sa’udi Arabia
in April 1944 and was present at most of the inter
views between His Majesty’s Minister and Ibn Sa’ud
in April and May. Left for Angora again in the
autumn of 1944 but lingered on in Beirut on the way
and meddled in the abortive Franco-Syrian negotia
tions early in 1945, before returning to Turkey.
After a brief visit to Saudi Arabia in the autumn of
1945, he left again for urgent medical treatment
(heart trouble), lleturned, rather unwillingly, in
April 1946 and has since completely re-established
himself in the King’s confidence as His Majesty’s
adviser on foreign affairs, in Riyadh. Ibn Saud twice
went out of his way to assure His Majesty’s Minister
in May and June 1946 that Fuad Hamza is an able
and much-maligned man.
In 1947 was appointed Minister of State
with the duty of regularising the Saudi Arabian
Government’s relations with the concessionary
companies and the contractors engaged upon the
various public utility projects. He seemed to set
about his new duties energetically and with an
uncompromisingly legalistic approach to all matters
in dispute but after a month or two he vanished,
apparently to Beirut. It is not clear whether or
not this appointment is to be held concurrently with
that of minister to Turkey, whence he seems never
to have been recalled. In his new capacity, his
relations with Abdullah Sulaiman (q-v.) are
inevitably difficult, and likely to remain so.
25. Hafiz (Hdfidh) Wahba.
Sa’udi Minister in London. An Egyptian born
probably between 1885 and 1890. Educated at
Al-Azhar. Mixed up in Nationalist and pan-Islamic
politics in early manhood and was closely associated
with Abdul-’Aziz Shawish. Definitely anFi-British
at time of Great War and said to have been deported
from India. Said to have been in Bahrein at one
time. Started a school at Kuwait and passed thence
in Ibn Sa’ud’s service. Became tutor to the Amir
Fay sal and accompanied the prince to London in
1919. Was one of Ibn Sa’ud’s delegates at the
abortive Kuwait Conference in 1923-24. In supreme
charge of the civil side of the Administration at
Mecca in 1925, with a viceregal title, and did well.
Read the King’s inaugural address at the Moslem
Congress in Mecca in June 1926. Much employed
on missions and negotiations during the ensuing
years. Inter alia took part in negotiations with
Sir G. Clayton in 1925, 1927 and 1928 and expounded
Ibn Sa’ud’s views and fears regarding Italian policy
in the Red Sea, Bolshevik activity and Hashimite
sovereignty in neighbouring countries to the
Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Cairo early in 1928. During all this
period waged a ding-dong struggle against the Syrian
influences around the King, and had ups and downs.
Was occulted towards the end of 1926, but returned
to favour soon after and became Assistant Viceroy
beside the Amir Faysal. Thought to have
indisposed the Amir by his masterfulness as a
tutor and his disregard as Assistant Viceroy
for the Amir’s position. Relegated in July 1928
to the post of Director-General of Education. Went
to London in 1929 to represent Ibn Sa’ud at the
International Postal Congress. While there was
selected for the post of Minister in London, but did
not take up the post for over a year, during which
interval he went on a sort of undefined mission to
Kuwait and was also employed much about the
King’s person, though he appeared on the whole to
have lost ground to the Syrians. He and Fuad
Hamza are deadly enemies. Has during bis tenure
of the legation in London represented his country on
international occasions, at Geneva and elsewhere.
Was designated in 1931 to be Minister at The Hague,
but the arrangements have never materialised for
reasons of economy. Represented Sa’udi Arabia at
the opening of the Tokyo mosque in 1938.
Hafiz Wahba has sown his political wild oats. His
anti-British sentiments are supposed to have under
gone a change in or before 1928, when he was
reported as being accustomed to say that, as regards
Egypt, he would always be against Great Britain,
but, as a servant of Ibn Sa’ud, believed the King’s
interest to lie in friendly relations with His Majesty’s
Government. He has certainly shown himself -well-
disposed in London, and has been distinctly helpful. »
He is a good propagandist for Ibn Sa’ud on the
lecture platform and in society. Neither taciturn nor
talkative, he appeals by his sense of humour and
looks anything but a Wahhabi (except that he
abstains from alcohol and tobacco) at the Hyde Park
Hotel or the Savoy. Likes the theatre too, and
alleged to have a passion for night clubs to which he
gave full rein in New York in 1938. Speaks moderate
English, but is not fluent. A useful servant to the
King, whose respect and confidence he commands.
He was on leave in Sa’udi Arabia early in 1940 and
returned via Koweit, where he settled with 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. the temporary form of the Sa’udi-
Koweit Agreements, which were then brought into
force pending the drawing up and signing of the final
texts. Accompanied the Amirs Faisal and Khalid on
their visit to America and England in the wintej^H
1943. He returned w r ith them to Sa’udi Arabi^^^*
December 1943 and was present at most of the inter
views between His Majesty’s Minister and the King
in March and April 1944. Showed himself genuinely
concerned at state of country’s finances and general
corruption of Sa’udi officials. The King appeared to
consider him as one of his most trustworthy coun
sellors. He returned to England in April 1944.
Visited the King again in January 1945 and
accompanied him to Egypt in February for the
meetings with President Roosevelt and Mr.
Churchill. Was a member of the Sa’udi delegation
which attended the San Francisco Conference in
April 1945. Was Assistant Saudi delegate to
Preparatory Commission and First Assembly of
United Nations. Made a K.C.V.O., 10th May, 1946.
26. Hamad Suleyman.
Under-Secretary of State for Finance, brother of
’Abdullah Suleyman, q.v., and has worked under
him. Once a petty trader in Bahrein and fled
country to evade payment of debts. Acted for
brother as Director-General of Finance during hK
relegation to Hasa towards the end of 1931. Was
appointed Wakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. or Under-Secretary when Abdullah
was made Wazir Minister. or full Minister in August 1932.
Has been employed on missions in ’Asir, notably in
November 1932, when he was sent with Khalid-al-
Qarqani to investigate the differences between the
Idrisi and Ibn Sa’ud’s Governor. They were too late
to reach the spot before the Idrisi went into open
revolt. Went with a Sa’udi mission to the Yemen in
1933, and was reported to have been detained by the
Imam at San’a on the situation with Sa’udi Arabia
deteriorating. Returned well before the outbreak of
hostilities in 1934. In 1935 was a member of
Sa’udi delegation which visited Bahrein, to negotiate
the Transit Dues Agreement, and to Kuwait, to dis
cuss the question of the Sa’udi blockade of t
neighbouring State. Whilst at Bahrein he was-^ued
by a local Persian merchant, 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.
reported, for an old debt. Fell into disgrace with
Ibn Sa’ud in the spring of 1936 (as he had done at
least once previously) but was apparently begged
off by his brother ’Abdullah. Of even meaner
appearance than his brother, a poor talker and not,
apparently, very intelligent. He disclosed to His
Majesty’s Minister at Taif in 1942 that his favourite
outdoor sport was throwing stones. His eldest son,
Suleyman-al-Hamad, born about 1917, takes some
part in public affairs : he was for a time director