"ملف ‎4/13 IV الزبارة" [و‎‎١‎١‎٠] (٤١٢/٢٢٤)

On two separate occasions His Highness has assured me
that he would he perfectly satisfied If the guard is withdrawn
from the fort and that he would not raise the question of the
destruction oi the fort Itself* I understand that he made the
same statement to the Adviser In the presence of Shaikh Ahdullah
bln Isa* He has nov^ln his letter which form** an enclosu^
fort* X regret to say that in my opinion His Highness* w
subject of which his mental equilibrium seems tc have been dis—
in demanding the destruction of the fort at Zubara* The requsst
ecus gesture on the Shaikh of Qatar*** part to accede to the
Why anyone should wish to visit Zubera I have no idea for the
place is arid, unlovely in the extreme, and scarce one stone of
from whom there is the slightest hope of gain cen nd at half
a hundred places on the Qatar coast without their eyes being
offended by the sight of the guard at Zubara or of the fort
Itself for that matter*
4* In my opinion there should bo no question of a return to
conditions as they were prior to the conclusion of the agreement.
Trade would be adversely affected, our recently concluded
arrangements for the cons ^ryition of shipping apace by supplying
Qatar through Bahrain rould have to be reconsidered, and the
already critical labour position hero would not be improved by
refusing entry to labourers from Qatar. It ia not as if public
Is not to be depended upon In matters concerning Zubara, o;
this communication, specificallv demanded the destruction
3* y However widely the agreement
there can be no qi estion but that
turbed.
to have the guard removed is understandable for no one likes to
be continually under observation, but while it would be a court-
request his refusal to do so should surely not be considered
sufficient grounds for an open breach between Bahrain and Qatar.'
ufoo wish to hawk and the impecunious bedouin who fawn on anyone
the old buildings remains upon ai other. Those of the family
/opinio*'
*
£