"ملف رقم ٠٦٢٩ مراسلات تتعلق بالأرض الواقعة تحت مياه البحر خارج المياه الإقليمية" [و‎‎٢‎٧] (٩٤/٥٣)

-I
Q.V
- 2 -
intp Shakhbut's mind the idea that the P.C.L. concession was
a piece of trickery from beginning to end,
Lermitte has probably told you of the difficulties
which the Abu Dhabi Shaikhs have been creating for the Company
in their recent operations, Shakhbut has appointed a number
of guard commanders to the camps in his territory, and at
Ghanadha and Ras Sadr, these men, (who try to affect the title
of Emir after the model of the Saudi guard commander in
ARAMCO Camps), deliberately try to create trouble among the
Abu Dhabi labourers. There have been numerous petty strikes
over trivial issues. Apart from this, visits to the camps by
the Ruler's relatives often result in similar ill-feeling.
Protests by the Company have only resulted in increased
friction.
5. I have visited the three camps of the Company with
Mr.Henderson, the Dubai Dubai Representative of P.C.L. and it
is my impression that, whilst the strikes, on the whole, are
the result of deliberate interference by the Shaikh's guards,
the standard of administration in the camps might well be
improved. For example, the water distilling plants at Ras
Sadr are unreliable and I think that the complaints about
lack of water may have some foundation. Well water could
easily be delivered in dhows if necessary. I learned that
sufficient cooking utensils are only just arriving in camps
which have been established for two months. I suggested to ■
Mr. Henderson that he would strengthen the Company's position
by looking to such points as food, water and living conditions.
He replied that he had been asking for a Camp Administrative
Officer to be sent to take charge, but that his company had
not found him one as yet.
6 . Hitherto, P.D.(T.C.) have been accustomed to dealing
direct with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs on all matters except the
those requiring H.M.G's intervention or sanction on some
specific point. This practice was acceptable to all parties
• as/-