Coll 17/35 ‘Iraq. Iraq – Saudi Relations. Demarcation of Frontier.’ [‎26r] (51/112)

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38. Finally, His Majesty’s Government consider that adherence to the
principle enumerated in the preceding paragraph is not only the correct course
in itself, but is the method (short of the maintenance of the de facto frontier) by
which the desiderata of Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan in respect of the frontier with Nejd as a
whole can now best be secured. They have accordingly decided that, if and when,
* after the proposed survey has taken place, the whole frontier question comes up
for discussion with the Saudi Arabian Government, the argument regarding the
starting-point of the frontier at the Jebel Anaiza, indicated in Annex B, should
be openly admitted and maintained, both on grounds of equity, because it clearly
represents the true intentions of the negotiators of the Hadda Agreement, and
because to withhold it would render it impossible for His Majesty’s Government
to use the same argument in respect of the rest of the frontier, this argument
being of particular importance for the south-eastern area.
39. A further point which has to be considered is the effect on the de facto
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Hejaz frontier of a redefinition of the frontier between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan
and Nejd. Although the Saudi Arabian Government have not hitherto indicated
that they wish to alter in any way the first of these frontiers (which it is difficult
for them to discuss at all in view of their claim to Aqaba and Maan), and
although they have admitted that the forthcoming survey is of the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -
Nejd frontier only, the alignment of the eastern sector of the Hejaz frontier,
between the Jebel Tubaik and the point 2 miles south of Mudawara (point F),
depends on the position of the southern terminal point of the Nejd frontier
(point E). It has already been stated that the de facto frontier (i.e., the frontier
constituted by the tracks used by Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan patrols) lies south of either the
“true” or the “literal” frontiers on any interpretation of the position of
point E of the Hadda Agreement. Indeed, while it is clear that it is in the
interests of His Majesty’s Government that point E should be established as far
to the south as possible, it seems equally clear that His Majesty’s Government
will not be able to secure its establishment so far south that a straight line drawn
from it to point F would leave all the southerly spurs of the Jebel Tubaik, and
with them the southern curve of the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan car track, within Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan .
40. The High Commissioner for Palestine and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and the military
authorities in Palestine and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan consider the retention of the car tracks
along the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Hejaz frontier, as well as the car tracks to the east of
the Jebel Tubaik, as of great strategical importance. It would therefore be
eminently satisfactory if the Saudi Arabian Government were to let the whole
question drop, so that the de facto frontier could be retained throughout. There is
not much hope of the Saudi Arabian Government allowing the question to rest,
but it is to be hoped that, if the remainder of the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd frontier can
be satisfactorily settled, His Majesty’s Government may be able to persuade the
Saudi Arabian Government to accept the existing car track to the east of the
Jebel Tubaik, and also, wherever the necessity arises, the de facto Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -
Hejaz frontier, notwithstanding the fact that parts of it lie south of any line
which can possibly be established on the basis of Sir Gilbert Clayton’s letter.
At the same time, it must be recognised that the Saudi Arabian Government are
in a strong legal position so far as these last two points are concerned and it is
therefore desirable that the search for alternative and more northerly armoured-
car tracks from Ferdat to Mudawara, or at any rate for an alternative and more
westerly armoured-car track from the northern side of the Jebel Tubaik to the
neighbourhood of point J.T.A., should be continued whenever the opportunity
offers.
Eastern Department, Foreign Office,
September 1939.
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(F)— Postscript.
41. On the outbreak of war on the 3rd September, 1939, it became impossible
for the War Office to find survey officers to form part of the party which it was
intended should participate on behalf of His Majesty’s Government in the survey
of the frontier (see paragraph 31). The Colonial Office also stated that it would
be impossible for the local authorities to undertake the survey without the
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