Coll 30/9(2) 'Admin. Reports of the Persian Gulf - 1945 -' [‎407r] (813/1148)

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i
tribe b or of a tribe against the Muscat GoYernroent have
been aired in interminable series of discussions, arguments,
agreements, breaches of agreements and then further negotia
tions culminating sometimes in a single murder but more
usually in what would be regarded in a settled country as
petty crime to be dealt with by the ordinary police force*
Only in a state where even small tribes aseume to them
selves some of the attributes of sovereign powers can such
incidents be regarded as of political significance* The
three important Shaikhs in Oman, Abdulla bin Mohammed al
Khalil! ("the Imam"), Isa bin Saleh al Harthi, and Sulaiman
bin Hamiyar of the Jabal Akhdar have not been openly activ#
though such is their power, it is probably correct to
assume, that they have supplied the inspiration for most
of the incidents which have taken place* They have kept
aloof from the Muscat Government which is equivalent to
saying that they have not troubled it* The most likely
reason for this is that our extension of air-power in the
Sultan's territory has not 6 nly convinced them of our
willingness but also of our Instant ability to support him*
Also, the Shaikhs, owing to the diminution of food supplies
from India have been, like everyone else, preoccupied
• •
in the problem of how to feed their people* The Bedou
regards rice almost as synonymous with life itself and
the enforced reduction by the Muscat Government of supplies
to Oman has been one of the most noteworthy developments of
the year* That it was carried through without more than
an occasional protest from the tribes is further testimony
to the increased prestige of the Sultan, exercised, as it
has been for the whole year, from the distant province of
Dhofar* This last circumstance also explains the distant
attitude of the three premier Shaikhs who would consider
it undignified and, even more Important