"ملف ٦/٤ II الحدود الكويتية-العراقية" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٣] (٤٤٠/٣٠٥)

'LB'
PRIOR
s.
Political Resident at Shiraz
Secretary of State for India, London.
Government of India.
Ambassador, Bagdad.
Commander in Chief, East Indies.
August 1941.
From Political Resident Persian Gulf.
My telegram No.T/365 July 30th. Port
at Um Qasr.
Following is Political Agent’s report on
Shaikh's reaction begins;
Shaikh reacted well; said he would welcome
tmrely British port at Um Qasr but desired me to tell you
with all emphasis he could command that there must be no
handing over of port to Iraq after the war as that would
place Kuwait in mortal danger. He would prefer its utter
destruction rather than that happened. Nor would it be
enough to dismantle port if purely in Iraq territory as
Iraq could easily replace group mut . ies etc and carry on
campaign of diverging Kuwait's trade to Um Qasr. If port
is located in Iraq and His Majesty's Government is unwilling
to retain permanent control then either it must be dis
mantled under British guarantee that Iraq will not rebuild^
or if port Is half in Kuwait and half in Iraq a joint Kuwait
Iraq harbour committee might possibly be set up under direct
British control though this solution may not please Iraq.
Kuwait in any case to retain control of her water rights
and not to be asked to transfer territory.
Regarding Kuwait itself Shaikh said he mut.
military authorities developing port facilities and improv
ing road to Basrah but hopes that former will mainly be in
direction of Shuyaikh. Ends.
Telegram
From
To
Repeated
No.T/394
Dated 3rd