'File 10/3 VI Qatar Oil Concession' [‎80v] (172/481)

was an Arab chief, whose views on matters of policy naturally differed from
those of European powers. Bedouin tribes are not concerned in weighing
the merits of different governments, as they live as nomads and when
oppressed move off to another locality In recent years he had been able
to consolidate his authority in Central Arabia and has now taken Hjisa and
Qatif All he wants is to be left in peace and he sees that the British
Government keeps the peace all along the coasts of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , except
in this small section of the coast of the Hasa province. If he could get an
assurance that the British Government would maintain the maritime peace
on this strip of coast and recognise his position as de facto ruler he would be
satisfied, i f not, he would have to trust in his own sword In the
discussion which followed Ibn Sand said he would be glad to co-operate with
the British Government in the suppression of piracy and the illicit arms
traffic and in the maintenance of the maritime truce and would also agree
not to interfere in the politics of Qatar and the Tiucial Coast and to admit
British subjects and representatives in his-territory, provided that the British
Government would give him the assurances mentioned above. In fact, he
went further than this and said he would be willing to consult the British
Government in all matters if he received these assurances. We again
repeated that it was quite impossible to give him any such assurance. In
the course of his remarks Ibn Saud pointed out that though he claimed
Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. and Qatar as part of his ancestral dominions and could
make his power felt there, he was quite willing to meet the wishes of the
British Government in regard to them. He hinted that the only reason
which restrained him from overrunning Qatar and possibly Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates.
after he had occupied Hasa and Qatif was his desire not to alienate the
sympathy of the British Government.'
175. In a separate memorandum the negotiators recorded that Ibn >aud,
after the discussion on the subject of arranging a modus vivendi had been con
cluded, enquired the policy of the British Government in regard to Qatar and
the Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. States. We said that we could not make any definite
pronouncement on the subject, but that as a general rule, as far as we v^eie aware,
the policy of the Government was one of non-interference in internal matters.
In the case of the Trucial Sheikhs we had certain agreements of long standing
regarding the maritime truce, the slave trade and arms traffic, to which v»e held
the Sheikhs, but we did not as a rule interfere with their rule on shore. As regards
Qatar we translated to him the clause referring to that region in the recent Anglo-
Turkish Convention and said that we assumed the British policy there would also
be one of non -interference It proved that Ibn Saud s enquiry was due to the
possibility that enemies of his might take refuge in some of these States and plot
against him, and he enquired what the attitude of Government would be in regard
txV such cases." The negotiators were unable to state definitely, but promised to
refer the matter to higher authority. " He was apparently satisfied with this,
but urged that the matter was important to him as affecting his authority over
the adjacent Bedouin tribes. At any time in order to check the intrigues of such
people, it might be necessary for him to take reprisals, and this might involve
him with the British Government, which he was anxious to avoid. The nego
tiators recorded that Ibn Saud had also said "in a more informal manner that
he would not interfere in the politics of Qatar and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. States.
Views of 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. .
176 Mr. Lorimer, in forwarding this report, suggested the desirability, in
the event of a mutual arrangement being reached between H.M. Government and
Ibn Saud, of disposing of the question of his relations with the Sheikhs of Qatar
and Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. and that of the control of refugees from his authority who
settled under their protection. " These questions arise from Ibn Sand's own
position as an Arab chief and do not concern the Turks. It might be arranged
with Ibn Saud. on condition of his not entering the territory of the said Sheikhs
without our consent, that we should use our influence to prevent or restrain
refugees whose conduct in their chosen places of residence is shown to be injurious
to Ibn Sand's legitimate interests""