'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎180v] (371/1904)

40
Secondly, as regards the question of jetsam and flotsam it is always taken-at the
time by the inhabitants of the scene of the wreck and when the chief comes to knowo
it, he is entitled to take a share; sometimes he takes it ami sometimes he forgoes
it, as he may deem irt. MUHAMMAD-BIN TAHNDON,
(L.S.)
Note. —The word "loth " which is translated "jetsam and flotsam " is one commonly
used by ail inhabitants of the Gulf Islands and littoral, for all stmv things touna noa.mg
in or cast up by the sea—the meaning to this given m the dictionary is somet u g
rolling or floating in water."
A ppendix
F orm 2.
Question put regarding the Jurisdiction and Abu
Tnanuev of the exercise of the Rights of jetsam and flotsam on iHe Islonds of
the Gulf.
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
As you are one of the Arab sneikhs of ttie Jrersian (.• ulf and are familiar wicn the
traditions of the past and the rights of the Arabs in regard to the coast and the islands
in the Gulf, what is your opinion on the following points:
1. The islands of Bu Musa and Sir Bu Nuair, to the jurisdiction of which sheikh do
they belong and in which sheikh are the rights of ownership vested ?
" 2. The right to jetsam and flotsam in the islands, by whom is it exercised ?
Answer,
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Firstly, I am familiar with the matters about which you ask me. It is well known
amongst the Arabs of the Gulf that the islands of Bu Musa and Sir Bu Nuair are islands
belonging to the territories of the Kawasuns of Oman, and that their owner is the ruling
sheikh of the Kawasims who resides at Shargah and who is at present Sagar-bin-
Khaled-bin-Sultan.
Secondly, as regards the question of jetsam and flotsam, it is always taken at the
time by the" inhabitants of the scene of the wreck and when the chief comes to know
of it, he is entitled to take a share ; sometimes he takes it and sometimes he forgoes it,
as he may deem fit.
(Signed and sealed) SALEH-BIN-MUHAMMAD-EL-ALI,
Answers in a similar sense recorded by the following also :—
Ahmed -bin-Abdullah-el-Hamadi, Chief of Merbakh and Mugam.
A hmed-bin-Muh ammad-el-A1 i, Headman of Keis Island.
Abdullah-bin-Majed-el-Marzooki, Headman of Bustaneh.
Khalfan-bin-Misbah-el-Ali, Headman of Dowwan.
Sultan-bin-Ahmed-Marzooki, Chief of Moghu.
Abdullah-bm-Muhammad-el-Abeideli, Chief of Armtjki and Cheeroa, ;
Ibrahim-bin-Abdullah-el-Hamadi, Chief of Kelat,