"ملف ٥ /١ VI شركة نفط الكويت" [و‎‎٢‎٣‎٣] (٦٢٠/٤٧٠)

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fashion, but I am nevertheless inclined to agree with most
of what the late Director of Customs told me*
It is so obvious to the mere onlooker that the
Shaikh’s interests lie in the direction of the British
company that nothing but a belief that it will be to his
advantage politically, if the ^rnericans get into Kuwait
could m ke him see things otherwise. This, I believe,
is the crux of the whole business.
One must not forget that the Shaikh’s mind, as
that of all Nejdis, works by devious and tortuous routes.
II. ARRIVAL BACK OK MAJOR HOLMSS.
Major Holmes returned to Kuwait fran Jedda
on
27th April 1955 (via Cairo and Imperial Airways). He called
on the Agency on >*2nd April 1953 and among other points,
mentioned the following facts
(a) He had been invited to Jeddah by Bin Saud. (This
confirms my telegram Ho.58 of 23.3.53) •
(b) He had not attempted in any way to get an Oil
concession out of Bin Saud for the whole or part of
Sau’diyah, but was after something else, which he
could not divulge to me. (Obviously the Kuwait
Neutral Zone)•
(c) He had not seen the King, hut only the Finance
Minister Mohamed ibn Suiaiman who appeared very
grasping and did not impress.
(d) He had only remained 3 days in Jeddah during
which time he had submitted his official proposals,
for the thing he wanted, in writing, and had addres
sed these to the King direct.
(e) He had met Longrigg, Twitch ell, Hamilton, and
Philby (and Mrs.Phllby). The first he thought, would
"out no ice with Bin Saud as he had definitely the
wrong personality": (His words). The second two