مجموعة ١٧٠/٣٠ "مسألة ملكية جزيرتي البيّنة." [و‎‎١‎٢‎٥] (٢٥٩/٢٥٢)

P.Z. 29 04/38
India Office,
Whitehall, S.W.l*
29th April, 1938
Dear Longrigg,
With reference to the recent discussions about the
resumption of negotiations for the Bahrein unallotted area,
I am now desired to inform you that subject to what is said
below, there is no objection so far as His Majesty’s Government
are concerned, to Petroleum Concessions Ltd. applying to the
Sheikh of Bahrein (at the appropriate time) for a concession
over the two areas indicated in the maps attached to the draft
concession v/hich you left here on the 31st March*
2. As your Company understands, there is a possibility that
the Sheikh of Qatar might wish to advance claims to certain of
the islands reefs or shoals, and if he should do so such
claims would have to be considered by H.M.G. with a view to
reaching a decision.
3. It should also be clearly understood that any decision
subsequently taken with regard to the sovereignty or ownership
of any of the islands, reefs or shoals included in the proposed
concession areas will only hold good to the extent that H.M.G.
are in a position to take and enforce a decision, i.e. as
between one protected State and another, and cannot be held
to preclude H.M.G. from admitting the sovereignty of any
foreign Power which may hereafter put forward a claim to the
islands, reefs or shoals if H.M.G. in their sole discretion
think it expedient to admit that claim.
4. With regard to the definition of the proposed concession
areas we think that as the boundary limits which are defined by
the geographical co-ordinates in Article 1 of the draft lease
clearly go round the Hawar group cf islands it would be advisable
in present circumstances to avoid mentioning these islands by
name.
5. We are also of opinion that it would be better to substitute
S.H.Longrigg Esq.,
Petroleum Concessions Ltd.
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