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Coll 30/188 'Kuwait: Mining for Sulphur by Kuwait Oil Coy.' [‎41r] (81/351)

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The record is made up of 1 file (171 folios). It was created in 2 Jan 1940-28 Jun 1945. 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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/r, ^ 'j
day
dated the
of gitAr&t*' One thousand
nine hundred and forty is made BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY 1 S GOVERNMENT
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (hereinafter called ”His Majesty 1 s Government 1 ') of
the one part and EASTERN GULF OIL COMPANY LIMITED (hereinafter called
M the Company 11 which expression shall where the context so admits be
deemed to include its successors and/or assignees) of the other part.
WHEREAS the Company has entered into an Agreement with the
Shaikh of Kuwait (hereinafter called "the Shaikh") dated the Fifth day of
June One thousand nine hundred and forty, and in connection therewith
certain responsibilities may devolve on His Majesty’s Government
(particularly if the Company should exercise its option under the First
Schedule of such Agreement), the Company has agreed with His Majesty’s
Government as follows
THE Company, any transferee Company and any subsidiary Company that
may be created shall be and remain a British Company registered in the
British Empire.
NOTWITHSTANDING anything contained in the Agreement between the
Company and the Shaikh the obligations and benefits of that Agreement
shall not be transferred to any other company without the prior consent
in writing of His Majesty’s Government, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
THE employees of the Company in Kuwait shall at all times so far as
is consistent with the efficient carrying on of the undertaking be
British subjects or subjects of the Shaikh. With the consent of 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, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, persons of other nationalities, particularly Americans, may be
employed.
NOTWITHSTANDING anything contained in the Agreement between the
Company and the Shaikh, the importation of foreign native labour shall be
subject to the approval of 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. ,
SUBJECT to the terms of the Concession the Company undertakes at all
times to pay due deference to the wishes of the Shaikh and to the advice
of 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. 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
THE right given to the Company by its Agreement with the Shaikh to
utilise means of transportation by air shall be subject to any general
regulations for civil aircraft made by the Shaikh on the advice of His
Majesty’s Government.
IN the application of the right given to the Shaikh by his Agreement
with the Company to make full use free of charge of the Company’s wireless
and telegraph installations and railways for governmental purposes in
times of national emergency, the Shaikh acting on the advice of His
Majesty’s Government shall be the sole judge whether a "national
emergency" has arisen,
NOTWITHSTANDING anything contained in the Agreement between the
Company and the Shaikh the Company shall not have the right to use or
occupy, and shall not include in the areas selected for the purposes of
its operations, any sites which may have been selected by or on behalf of
the Shaikh or His Majesty’s Government for defence purposes, for aerodromes,
aeroplane or seaplane bases or for wireless and telegraph installations or
in connection with the development of harbours, provided that with the
consent of His Majesty’s Government which shall not be unreasonably with
held the Company shall have the right to use for the purposes of its
operations such harbours as may be developed by the Shaikh or His
Majesty 1 s Government if there is not reasonable harbour accommodation
available elsewhere. Harbours developed by the Company shall be under its
complete and exclusive control.

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Content

The file concerns an agreement between the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Sir Ahmed al-Jabir as-Subah [Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ] and a new company, the Eastern Gulf Oil Company Limited (formed from American interests in the Kuwait Oil Company), to explore for deposits of sulphur in Kuwait. Sulphur was used in the production of sulphuric acid, which was an essential component of almost all explosives. It was therefore considered to be an essential wartime commodity, and the British Government was keen that resources of sulphur should be available within the British Empire. Commercial and political agreements were concluded in 1940, but exploration by the company in Kuwait in 1945 discovered no indication of the presence of sulphur in workable quantities.

The papers include: 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. papers concerning the interest of the Kuwait Oil Company in obtaining a concession to exploit sulphur deposits in Kuwait, 1940; negotiations over an agreement, led by R O Rhoades; comments by 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. ; the British Government's desire for a pre-emption clause in the agreement in case of national emergency; draft and signed copies of the agreements between the Shaikh of Kuwait and the Eastern Gulf Oil Company Limited (signed on 5 June 1940, folios 80-102), and the political agreement between HM Government and the Eastern Gulf Oil Company Limited (signed on 23 October 1940, folios 41-42); correspondence concerning explorations by the company, 1940-45; and the discontinuance of operations in 1945, following which the company's personnel and equipment were handed over to the Kuwait Oil Company.

The Arabic content of the papers consists of the Arabic text (with English translation) of the signed agreement dated 5 June 1940.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (171 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 172; 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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Coll 30/188 'Kuwait: Mining for Sulphur by Kuwait Oil Coy.' [‎41r] (81/351), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3926, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100076927442.0x000054> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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