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Coll 17/18(1) 'Smuggling between Kuwait and Iraq' [‎203r] (410/1354)

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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. .

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“5-
|
that, against their will, for their own good. The Shaikhs
of the Persian Gulx, like all other Oriental Rulers, have now
grown up, and where their own interests only are concerned our
action should be limi ted to g iyijig them friend^ advice. Where,
however, important interests of His Majesty's Government are at
stake ? then from the point of view or practical politics there is
no need for us to refrain from exercising such pressure as is
possible. In the present instance it does not appeal" to me
S'-* 'y that such interests arise, am the Shaikh - from this aspect
,l> 'a . . ^ /'■
; 1 '
A
01 the case - can very well he left to look after his
own
l^^^^i^terests without the intervention of His Majesty’s Goverrmenv
r
7 The Shaikh’s viev^s of his own interests in the present
instance are categorically expressed in the enclosure (Extract
from Kuwait Intelligence Summary) to His Excellency's despaicn, LI
and whether he is really as indifferent to the prospect of I
Iraqi Customs control, or Blockade, as he makes out, I tnium 1
his feelings on the subject - which are somewhat as follows - |
are not unreasonable. Comparing Saudi Arabia vita i ra0 - |
, n ^aud has himself instituted his
the Shaikh feels is tnat ion oauu
own blockade measures, and huS not tri^d to saddle him
Shaikh - with any responsibility in the matter. The Iraqi
Government on the other hand seek to make up xor cne ^eficienci.«
in their customs control by high-handed and illegal acts by J
which they hope to force him - the Shaikh - to do part of thexr |
work for them. The measm-es which the Iraqi government
Propose will, in the opinion of the Shaikh, infringe on hxs
position of an independent Ruler, and damage tne tr.de
^ measures are taken witn
prosperity of his town, and n these - - _ _
his consent and co-operation he will have to face a serl °^
and perhaps a dangerous wave of unpopularity from his geop
8. /
Li

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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' [‎203r] (410/1354), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2878, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100063011514.0x00000b> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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