"ملف ٥/ ١٢ امتياز للنفط الموجود تحت مياه البحر في المنطقة المحايدة بالكويت" [و‎‎٢‎٨] (٦٦/٥٥)

(E 14671/1271/91)
COilFrDKlTTIAl
FOKEIjIT CEFXCE, S.’.V.1
9th December, 19i4-9.
I have been told in very strict confidence by Mr. John
Howard, whose firm have been carrying out construction work
in Saudi Arabia for some time, that he is about to try to
^ obtain the concessions for the sea-bed off the Seudi-Kuwait
neutral zone* He is proceeding himself to Jedda next week
in order to try zo obtain the concession for the Saudi share
and he is sending two members of his firm, including Mr.
Soanes (who is incidentally a son-in-law of Ur. Churchill)
to Kuwait to try to obtain the Kuwait share. His idea is
to form a new company in which 25^ of the shares would be
held by Ibn Baud, 25% by the Sheidh of Kuwait and 50^5 by his
own company. The main price of the concession would be the
free gift of these shares to Ibn Saud and the Sheikh.
Howard is telegraphing direct to Jakins at Kuwait telling
him of the proposed visit by Mr. Soames and his colleague and
asking for assistance in approaching the Sheikh and also
asking whether accomodation can be arranged. We have no
doubt that Jakins will give all proper assistance, though
without of course giving the impression that we have any
particular reason to favour this company as opposed to any
other that might seek the concession.
We have not yet had time to study the implications of
the proposal and shall be glad to have any comm nts which you
and Trott feel inclined to send us.
I am sending copies of this letter to Trott and Jakins.
Sir Rupert Hay, K.C.I.E.,
Bahrain.