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Coll 17/18(1) 'Smuggling between Kuwait and Iraq' [‎200r] (404/1354)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (673 folios). It was created in 28 Jul 1932-15 Jun 1935. 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. .

Transcription

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- 2 -
However, I do not tliink that it woula really serve any
useful purjiose to enter into an argument regarding these
figures. If the Iraq Government are convinced that they
lose large sums annually by smuggling from. Kuwait then ~
since they are the party most affected - from a practical
point ox view that is the end of the matter.
2. With reference to the suggestion for a conference made
in paragraph 15 on Sir Francis Humphrys 1 despatch. I saw
certain objections (vide paragraph 6 of my letter Ho.258-S,
dated the 1st March 1934, copy forwarded to the Government
of India ana to His hxcellciicy The ambassador, Bagdad, un^er
my Fruited Letter No.259-S of same date)to a previous sugges
tion that Colonel Dickson and myseli should attend a confer
ence at Bagdad, but at any rate we were to be duly authorised
by the Shaikh (of Kuwait) to appear on his behalf. The
present suggestion, as I unuerstand it, is tnat without
authorisation from the Shaikh, or without even informing
Colonel Dickson as Poliuxcal Agent Kuwait ana myself as
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. should confer officially with tne mrnussy
and witii officials of a foreign government - 'Iraq, whom tde
Shaikh regards with intense suspicion, on a matter which
closely concerns Kuwait. That over the head of the Shaikh
we should decide what terms the Iraq efovernneno s^ouLj. 0 ' Lfer
him. That these terns snould then he communicated to His
Majesty's Government who would inform the Shaikh accor in fa ly 3
3. My objections to a conference of this nature are very
strong indeed. Briefly it woula place Colonel Dickson and
myself, particularly myself, in a most awkward postmen,
is part of my duties as 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. on behalf of His
Majesty's Government to look after tne interests
Shaikh, /

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Content

The volume contains papers regarding the alleged smuggling of goods from Kuwait to Iraq, and attempts to broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. an agreement between the Shaikh of Kuwait (Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ) and the Government of Iraq with regards to importation restrictions, customs appointments and effective frontier controls. It consists of correspondence between the Foreign Office, Colonial Office, 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 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. at Kuwait, HM High Commissioner (and later Ambassador) at Baghdad, as well as communications received from Al Sabah and representatives of the Government of Iraq.

The file opens with correspondence concerning the activities of Kuwaiti water boats collecting drinking water at various points along the Shatt el-Arab: the Government of Iraq complained that the boats were not stopping at designated calling points, and that the boats were engaged in smuggling, while the Shaikh of Kuwait asked for the calling point requirement to be rescinded as it was causing interruptions to the water supply. The correspondence also documents instances where Iraqi customs barges had fired on Kuwaiti boats, killing and injuring merchants.

The bulk of the correspondence concerns efforts by HM Ambassador at Iraq, 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. , and 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. at Kuwait, to broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. an agreement between the two parties. Several conferences were arranged with a view to discussing the Iraqi proposals, viz: that a British Customs Director be appointed at Kuwait to oversee the importation of certain commodities (principally sugar, tea, matches, coffee, tobacco, cigarettes, and cigarette papers); and that the Shaikh co-operate with Iraqi efforts to institute an effective frontier control and customs cordon.

In addition to correspondence, the volume includes the following minutes and reports:

The volume includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 4-5).

Extent and format
1 volume (673 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 675; 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 4-672; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

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English in Latin script
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Coll 17/18(1) 'Smuggling between Kuwait and Iraq' [‎200r] (404/1354), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2878, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100063011514.0x000005> [accessed 25 April 2024]

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