'File II. IRAQ (3) Vol. 1 Shaikh of Kuwait's Date Gardens on the Shatt-al Arab. (Kuwait's relations with Turkish Govt. and Turkish demand that Kuwaitis should take out Turkish Nationality Certificates)' [‎22r] (43/636)

that there were any very grave objections to the
Basra partner taking out a certificate of Turkish
nationality, if the result would be to facilitate
his business relations and to induce the Basra autho-
-rities to leave him in peace. It would not affect
the general question of Koweit independence, complete
or partial,at all*
6. At the same time. Sheikh Mobarak v/ill
not understand tliis and evidently feels very strongly
on the subject and he may be aware of difficulties
and indirect pressure that might be brought to bear
if the point were conceded,
7, I have therefore the honour to solicit
the favour of instructions as to the reply to be
given to Sheikh Llobarak vis: what advice should be
offered to Mm# I would also express my regret at
the vague indications which are all that I have been
•able to give as to the difficulty in which Sheikh
llobarak finds himself. It did not seem to me ad
visable to press him to be more explicit,until I
knew what my attitude should be on the general
question.
8, The merchant is in a difficult posi-
-tion through no fault of his own.If he complies
with the Turkish orders he is in difficulty with
Sheikh llobarak.If he refuses, the Turks expel him.
If this view of the question were placed before the
Basra authorities by H.B.M's Consul, acting under
in strict ions, they might be induced to recognise the
injudiciousness of the order and the fact that non-
-compliance with the order would hardly justify the
expulsion of a peaceful trader.
9, Before however, such a remonstrance was
addressed, it would be necessary to obt-ain some evi—
-dance,more e>rplicit than v/hat is at present ava.il-
- able, of the nature of the certificate and the ex-
-tent of pressure applied to induce the merch.uit to