Coll 30/210(2) 'Bahrein Oil: Employment of U.S.Provost Personnel for Control of American labour.' [‎357r] (721/1013)

(Sncloaure to PereiarKorulf letter o.I .G.501 dated 15/6/44)
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Cffice of Ins ector of
a va 1 T'a terial.
Bahrain Island, Persian
31 I ay 1944.
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Up to present the Office of Inspector oV uaval ; a’terial, in
absence of any other U.5. military or civil goverftiaefit authority
on Bahrain Island, has handled a substantial load of liaison
work v/aich has arisen in consequence of -jaerican cargo vessels
and tankers calling at this port. Although up to aate this offic
has been able to spare uen for liaison activities, an expanded
prograi.; of Bavy petroleum liftings during the latter part of
1944 map sever fly limit the time which can be devoted to this
work • Further, tlx is office is somewhat handicapped due to
the fact that it is not officially designated or. organized to
function as a Liaison Office.
jue to the increasing number of ^jaerican . tankers calling
at Bahrain and considering the xtrojected construction of a
50, 000 bbl/day refinery across the channel at has fanura, 3audi
-scab ia, which will necessitate a large number of American vessels
calling to discharge construction materials at has fanura,
(star'ting in .Tune 1944), and then upon completion of the con
struction, a further steady flow of tankers to lift the refined
products, it is recommended that consideration be given to place
ment of I'.o. aval Liaison representatives in this area.
~t both Bahrain and has Tanura the lack of facilities ashore
including adequate law enforcement agencies, and the limitations
on conduct imposed by the strong Eoslem attitude against use of
liquor or loose relationships with women, impose unusual diffi
culties in arrangeing shore leaves for ^rmed Guard and Ferchant
Karine person'.el. To maintain morale, particularly during the
intense heat of summer, it is essential that ahip T s person el
be represented ashore and that special arrangements, in cooper
ation with the oil company and local government representatives,
be made to ensure shore leaves. In addition to handling
shore leave problems, it is desirable that a u.^. haval liaison
Officer be present to handle ship’s mail, voyage reports, medical
and disciplinary cases, ship’s security, issuance of supplies,
e tc • >
Ihe most pressing need for a Liaison man is at has 'fanura,
where at the present time, there is no naval representative what
soever. In planning the Liaison establishment it is desirable
that careful attention be given to the political situation,
relationship with the oil companies, transport difficulties, f
etc., and that close integration be achieved with the "avy
Petroleum Inspection Offices now on Bahrain and required at
has Tanur a.
Shipping Situa tion - Bahrain.
During the first five months of 1944 the following average
number of vessels called at the Bahrain Petroleum Jo.’s Sitra
Anchorage :