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Coll 6/67(5) 'Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar (Khor al Odeid)' [‎103r] (210/797)

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The record is made up of 1 volume in 2 parts (391 folios). It was created in 15 Oct 1937-11 Aug 1939. 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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3
102
GoyemLnr^n'dThatv^f^ a # reement a ? d understanding with the British
L m T, ’ a i taat ^ ls ^ rien( is among the Arab rulers on the Persian Pnir
AlU^cLsedhir^ftert th ° U§h should ] , inTOl ^ himself in LteriaUoss
imnini ^ K w ’ after ^ r0n ^ msist ence, to limit his claims to the minimum
hopin^ (thereby) to put a decisive end to the difficulties. It never entered into
and disnute' Vhe 1 ^^ tha l ^. 1v T i ilat mentioned would be a subject of argument
} h i ne t0 wh , lch m y Government holds represents the minimum of
thnt tWnn na i te r nd reasonable cia ims; consequently, your Excellency’s statement
tnat the conciliation and concession have come from the British Government, while
the position of my Government has not changed, indicates disdain for the Govern-
ment ot His Majesty and forgetfulness of the great sacrifices which they have
made m renouncing in favour of the rulers of those neighbouring Arab territories
wide areas whose ownership by His Majesty can be proved by every historical
and actual right.
It never entered into the thoughts of my Government to bargain about the
frontier which they put forward, for it was drawn after deep reflection and
careful consideration; and it was on account of the insistence of the British
Government that it was drawn so as to cover the very minimum of the just claims.
Had my Government thought that it would be the subject of discussion and
bargaining, they would have taken up a different position, whereas they limited
their claims to the minimum, hoping that the British Government would not argue
about it, but would accept it as a just and practical frontier in the interests of
both parties. I do not conceal from your Excellency that my Government attaches
the greatest importance to this frontier and regards it is a very vital matter.
Nay, more : I can say that this question is a question of life and death in con
nexion with that part of His Majesty’s dominions. They, therefore, regret
exceedingly that the British Government do not appreciate their position at its
true value; at the same time, however, they express their readiness to discuss any
practical proposal which will secure the interests of both parties and obviate
harm.
As to the abstention by employees of the companies on both sides from
encroaching on the disputed areas, the Deputy Foreign Minister in his personal
letter of 3/12/1356 (the 3rd February, 1938) explained the essence of the position
to your Excellency as mv Government understand it, and in it he explained exactly
how the matter stood. "l hope that there may be sufficient explanation therein to
help to clear up the present misunderstanding and to bring about a fundamental
solution of the difficulties. . .
As to the question of the appointment of a topographical commission, His
Majesty’s Government, before giving a definite reply to the request, would like
to enquire from your Government as to the areas required to be surveyed in older
that the matter may be sufficiently clear to both sides, and that the confusion whic
might result if the agreement were general and not precise may be avoided.
I await, therefore, the opinion of your Government on the three points set
forth above. FEYSAL.

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Content

This volume primarily concerns British policy regarding the eastern and south-eastern boundaries of Saudi Arabia, specifically those bordering Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Muscat (i.e. the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman). Much of the correspondence relates to British concerns that oil companies operating in the region may begin prospecting in disputed territory.

References are made to various existing and proposed lines, including the 'blue line' (laid down in the non-ratified Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913 and redefined and adopted in the Anglo-Ottoman convention of the following year). Reference is also made to a 'final offer' proposed by the British to the Saudi Government in November 1935, since which time no conclusion has been reached.

Matters discussed in the correspondence include:

  • The reported activity of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (Casoc) near Qasr-es-Salwa [Salwá, Saudi Arabia] (located east of the blue line), and whether this activity necessitates a renewed effort by the British to reach a settlement with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] regarding the Qatar-Saudi boundary.
  • Ibn Saud's claim to Jebel Nakhsh [Khashm an Nakhsh, Qatar], which lies in territory included in the Qatar oil concession.
  • Whether the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi should be persuaded to cede Khor-el-Odeid [Khawr al ‘Udayd] to Ibn Saud.
  • The impact of Britain's Palestine policy on Anglo-Saudi relations.
  • The Foreign Office's suggestion that the Khor-el-Odeid question should be submitted to arbitration.

In addition to correspondence dating from 1937-39, the volume contains copies of correspondence dating from April 1904 (including translations of two letters from the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi), which discusses Abu Dhabi's claim to Khor-el-Odeid.

Correspondents include the following: 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); 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. , Bahrain (Captain Tom Hickinbotham); His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Reader William Bullard); the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, Viscount Halifax); the Secretary of State for India and Burma (Lawrence John Lumley Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland); the Viceroy of India (Victor Alexander John Hope, Lord Linlithgow); the Minister for Saudi Foreign Affairs [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]; officials of the Foreign Office, the 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. , and the Government of India's External Affairs Department.

Also included are the following: copies of the minutes of meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence's Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East, dated 8 November 1937 and 8 February 1938; a sketch map depicting the various possible boundary lines of south-eastern Saudi Arabia.

The volume includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).

Extent and format
1 volume in 2 parts (391 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-188) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 189-395); 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 2-394; these numbers are printed, and are not circled.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 6/67(5) 'Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar (Khor al Odeid)' [‎103r] (210/797), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2138, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100066383065.0x00000b> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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