'File 8/64 III SULTAN'S RELATIONS WITH HIS TRIBES' [‎32r] (63/150)

I have adopted this division in preference to that made in
paragraph 5 of Your )esp&tch ::o# G3 because it has appeared
better suited, to t .e views I am about to express.
8 . In so far as the tribes of Group (i) are regarded
as Owing allegiance to the Trucial Shaikhs, it may be consi
dered that the commitments of His Majesty’s Government
in the settled areas of the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. extend also to
these tribes. I agree therefore that the Trucial Shaikhs
should be encouraged to extend their control more directly
over the territory of the tribes which can justly be regar
ded as owing them allegiance or as under their control.
It seems likely that the Shaikhs of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi
at least would welcome any suggestion of this kind from
His ilajesty’s Government. I should, however, prefer some
initial action to be taken by the Shaikhs themselves from
their own resources, without the intervention of the Trucial
Oman Levies. Although the Levies are intended for use in
a normal internal security r 8 le and can be so used at any
time in this area, I do not, in view of the considerations
I have set out in paragraph 4 above, wish them to become
involved in activities which are in the first place
essentially a matter for the Shaikhs themselves.
9. kith regard to the tribes of Groups (ii) and (iii),
there are two questions which are closely inter-related.
The first, v/hich is dealt with in your Despatch Ho. 36,
is ‘whether or not it is desirable to establish direct
relationships with the paramount Shaikhs of the tribes
in these groups. The second, on which you have made
certain proposals 1: your Despatch Ho. 83# concerns the
adoption Ox a :, forv;ard M policy in 0 ntral Oman.
10. Generally speaking it has been the policy of His
Uajesty^ Government in the recent past to regard the
territory of the Sultan as extending over the whole of
Oman and as far as the limits of the Trucial States A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. .
It is clear that this policy involves recognition of the
Sultan’s claim to exercise sovereignty over all the tribes
in his territory, although in practice the claim may be
hollow and his exercise of sovereignty at best purely
nominal. I agree with the three reasons you give for
not recommending any change in this policy, namely that to
do so would: -
(a) prejudice our position in the frontier negotiations
with Saudi Arabia;
(b) be contrary to the interests of Petroleum
Concessions Limited, who hold a concession from
the Sultan for the whole of his territory (except
for Dhofar and Gwadur); and
(c) be regarded by the Sultan as a most unfriendly
act, and might consequently affect our position
in the rest of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
\
I therefore accept your conclusion that it is not desirable
to enter into direct relationships with the Shaikhs of the
tribes in Groups (ii) and (iii). .1 would note h re that I
am considering separately the questionof the Shaikh of
Fujairah, whose request for independent recognition was
reported In your Deep, ck o. 39 of Gt , 1950 and on
which I hope shortly to give you my views.
11. I turn noW to the proposals made in your Despatch Ho.
83 for more positive action to develop the hinterland of
Oman by a gra .ual extension of influence in this area,
starting fro:, the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. . Such a policy would, as
/you