‘File 2/32 ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT AIR FACILITIES’ [‎23r] (45/338)

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to make available to us any facilities that we might require in his
territory in return for a subsidy, a guarantee of protection against
external aggression and a premise liiat he should be a party to the
peace ireaty to the extent that it might involve Muscat territory
or Muscat interests.
5. It is clear, however, that what the Air Ministry now requires
goes considerably beyond the limited facilities obtained at Haor
Q,uwai and it is for consideration whether His Majesty’s Government
are to allow themselves to be handicapped in this matter by the
existence of the Declaration of 1862. As you will see from their
telegrams the Government of India and 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. are
agreed in the view that we should ignore this difficu-ty. They
point out that the French no longer have any interests in Muscat
and in any case they are hardly now in a position to raise object
ions. Ihey would moreover question the correctness of the view
that the sale of Masirah Island would compromise the guarantee of
Muscat’s independence. We should be inclined to share their view
that in the changed circumstances we can afford to ignore ary
possible difficulties from the French. If we did have to justify
our sieves to the 'French, wh5.ch would seem unlikely, v/e might well
do so on the ground that the acquisition of a base on Masirah
Island, over which we enjoy full control, was a measure essential
to the successful prosecution of the war. This, however, is an
aspect of the question on which the Foreign office will no doubt
have views.
6. Assuming that this difficulty can be surmounted, the Government
of India suggest that negotiations should be started with the
Sultan with the following objectives in order of prefer-ence *-
(a) An exchange of M&sirah Island for the Kdria Muria Islands,
accompanied by a cash compensation. Such an exchange might be
useful to save the face of the Shaikh, and might possibly be a
good point if objections were raised on the score of the 1862
Declarati on.
(b) Straightforward purchase. As regards price, Sir G.prior
has tentatively suggested £ 75,000 as a probable minimum.
(c) A lease, which would presumably be for a term of 99 years.
7 # It i s suggested that Titiichever of these alternatives is
finally agreed upon, the control of the local inhabitants should
be exercised through the existing channels, i.e. British political
authorities. In the case of a lease, however, it is unlikely
that the Sultan, who is jealous of his position, would agree to
surrender jurisdiction over his subjects. This is perhaps an argu
ment for preferring purchase of the Island to a lease*
8. There are a number of points arising from this proposal that
will require further examination, and we would suggest that as a
first step it would be convenient if the matter could be considered
at an interdepartmental meeting. If you and the Foreign Office
agree, we will proceed to nake arrangements accordingly.
9 # x am sending a copy of this letter to Baxter at the Foreign
Office, Mossop at the Admiralty, Dewhurst at the War Office, Trend
at the Treasury and Sabben-dare at the Colonial office.
Yours sincerely.
Sgd. R.PESL.