Coll 17/30(1) ‘Iraq. Proposed additional outlet to the sea, in or near Koweit territory. Development of port at Um Qasr.’

Content

The file contains papers relating to the proposed construction of a port in Kuwait (Koweit) Bay, and the construction of a port in Um Qasr Creek.

The papers mostly concern the following:

• The attitude of HM Government towards the proposal of the Government of Iraq for the extension of the Iraqi railway system through Kuwait territory to the coast at Koweit Bay, and the construction there of a port under Iraqi control. This proposed port would provide Iraq with an additional commercial outlet to the sea on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , as an alternative to the Shatt-al-Arab.
• The Iraqi Government’s adoption of the alternative recommendation of Um Qasr Creek in the Khor Abdulla as the location for the port, and the Iraqi Government raising the question of territorial concessions from Kuwait in relation to the port.
• The decision of British military authorities in 1941 to construct a port at Um Qasr as an urgent military necessity, to remain under British military control during the Second World War, and the proposal to improve port facilities in Koweit itself in order to enable troops and stores to be disembarked there.
• The location of the selected site for the port in Um Qasr Creek in relation to the disputed frontier between Iraq and Kuwait.

The papers largely consist of India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. minute papers and internal notes, papers of the Committee of Imperial Defence Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East, and correspondence and copy correspondence between the following:

• The India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and the Foreign Office.
• The India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
• The India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and the Government of India External Affairs Department.
• The Foreign Office and HM Embassy, Baghdad (Maurice Peterson, Sir Basil Cochrane Newton, Sir Kinahan Cornwallis, and W E Houston-Boswall).
• The Commander in Chief in the Middle East, the Commander in Chief in India, and the War Office.

Other correspondents in the file include the Army Council, the Air Council, the Admiralty, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Kuwait (Tom Hickinbotham), and the Ruler of Kuwait (Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ).

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format

1 file (531 folios)

It is grouped into

'Koweit Harbour'

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/2892, f 533

'Sketch Map of the Mouth of the Shatt-El-Arab'

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/2892, f 532

Sketch Map Showing Um Qasr and Surrounding Area, and Frontier Lines

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/2892, f 21

Sketch Map Showing the Coastlines of the Koweit Neutral Zone, Koweit, Iraq, and Part of Iran, on the Persian Gulf

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/2892, f 298

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 535; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-353; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/12/2892

Former external reference(s)

Coll 17/30/1

History of this record

Date(s)

2 May 1938-19 Aug 1942 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

RailwaysSecond World War (1939-1945)HarboursFrontiersTerritorial rights

Places

Khor AbdullaKuwaitUmm Qaşr Shatt al Arab

People & organisations

Commander-in-Chief in the Middle EastCommittee of Imperial Defence, Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle EastPolitical Resident, Persian GulfIndian Political Service, External Affairs DepartmentBritish Embassy in Iraq, BaghdadCommander-in-Chief, IndiaWar Office

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Cite this record in your research

Coll 17/30(1) ‘Iraq. Proposed additional outlet to the sea, in or near Koweit territory. Development of port at Um Qasr.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2892, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000602.0x0001b3> [accessed 4 April 2025]

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