'File 12/C(2) Najd Mission: operation of blockade' [‎85r] (169/378)

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From
To
Cox Kuwait
Foreign repeated Sec. of State Po litical Baghdad
H.C.Cairo
No. B 95
Dated 30.8.18 (l!'0O)
Reference Baghdad telegram No.6492.dated August l?th.
The^ re are two separate Questions at issue affecting Shaikh
f
of furait firstly Blockade secondly raids by Ajman etc. through
Kuwait territory . After discussion with P.A. and Shaikh I offer
V
following observations.
In first connection protest and complaint of Philby on behalf
of Bin 3a'ud were evident, y based on misunderstanding of wording
of Politic^. Agent's letter to Shaikh of Kuwait of July 4th in
which he spoke of"removal of Blockade " . Blockade measures
have never ceased # the cnange was that permits instead of
being issued by British Officer wereto be issued by Shaikh^
son subject to general supervision by of Britidi Officer. This
was explained to Philby by P.A. in subsequent letter .Arrange
ment has been working satisfactorily and no permit has yet
been applied for by any Najd caravan ,so that it is not possible
that any specific cause of complaint can have arisen.
However in order to give Ibn Sa'ud no handle for impugning
arrangements Shaikh has agre ed to Blockade Officer scrutinising
and signing all permits for Najd. Thus the only exports now
al_o..ed from Kuwait will be - One • To Majd on permits signM
by Blockade Officer on voucher and demand of Ibn Sa'ud's
agent. Two. To Iraq tribes on production of permits from their
Political Officers. Three. To tribes of Shaikh of -‘-uwsi t vouched
for by hims If strictly on basis of minicLum requirements.
Thisa rrangement is practically indistinguishable from for
mer arrangement which Philby extolbed as being effectlve and
appreciated in lIajfl.|^As regards suggests despatch of troops.
Having made the Shi kh a friendly com.:unication on July 5th
regarding Blockad* and no case of illicit expert or raiding
having occurred since that date there can be no logical reason
for occupying Kuwait now at all events so far as blockade is