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‘File 2/32 ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT AIR FACILITIES’ [‎106r] (211/338)

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The record is made up of 1 file (167 folios). It was created in 17 Feb 1944-12 Aug 1948. It was written in English and Arabic. 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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S7
18/71
J*
I
(
Telegram S(Pad)
From Government of India, New Delhi,
To Secretary of State for India, Eondon,
Repeated 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. , at Shiraz.
No. 11492
Dated and received 3rd September, 1944.
IMmZMI'
Caroe to Peel repeated Prior.
Reference Prior 1 s telegram No. 398/T dated
August 30th. MASIRAK.
2. In our view nothing would be gained by puchasing
or even leasing the whole island if flying rights on air field
and anchorage could be obtained as at Bahrain, Sharjah and
Dubai and we consider that attempt should first be made to
secure these.
3. For purpose of negotiations it is necessary that
meaning of passage M or otherwise give for occupation ,, in 1891
treaty should be clarified. Given the whole tenor of phraseo
logy employed and context of this particular passage it is
surely a reasonable interpretation of intention of contracting
parties and of force of agreement with itself to hold that
alienation in any form whatever of any part of Sultan*s
territories would bs permitted in favour of His Majesty*s
Government alone. If so, more particularly if considerations
were paid solution of "occupation** would include user. This
seems to have been meaning assigned to words by His Majesty*s
Government in 1899 vis-a-vis the Frencji. On this interpretion
not only would Sultan be deprived of Pan-American competitive
bargaining counter but acquisition of island ( as distinct
from flying rights) by puchase or lease would become unnecessary
and it should be possible to secure flying rights for reasonable
figure. No doubt law officers will be consulted if necessary.
4. We note Prior*s reference to re-sale to Americans
of "their buildings". Southern route was developed from India
and we do not seem to have been told that Americans had been
permitted to build. We are enquiring into this but even if
it transpires that they were allowed to build this might be
regarded as emergency war time concession to ally not
affecting special position granted permanently to His Majesty*s
Government under 1391 Treaty.
FOREIGN.
DLG

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Content

The file contains correspondence in the form of letters, telegrams and reports related to the negotiation of either the acquisition or lease of a base at Masirah Island. The British Government acquired a base either by the purchase or exchange of Masirah Island for Kuria Muria or the lease of whole or part of the island. The main concern raised by British Officials was on how to approach the Sultan of Muscat and Oman on the issue. They argued that the Sultan will be unlikely to agree to sell or exchange Masirah Island, for the fact that one day the island might prove to contain mineral and/or oil deposits of commercial value.

The file contains correspondence related to the availability of drinking water for the Royal Air Force and native labourers on the island, and the future of the administration of the island after an agreement takes place.

The file also contains correspondence, folios (144-160) related to the incident of a group of Royal Air Force men shooting eleven civilian-owned goats at Masirah Island. The Sultan raised the issue 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. at Muscat and he suggested that the Royal Air Force men should be kept within their airbase boundaries in order to prevent such incidents.

The main correspondents in the file are: the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department; 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. , London; the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , Muscat; the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. 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. , Bahrain; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.

A large part of the file, folios 2-117, is dated 1944.

Extent and format
1 file (167 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Folios 161-168 are file notes.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 169; 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.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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‘File 2/32 ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT AIR FACILITIES’ [‎106r] (211/338), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/110, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100066171646.0x00000c> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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