'File 11/44 Leading Personalities in Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia' [‎47r] (93/96)

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78. Shaikh al Ardh.
Family name of two Syrians, brothers. The
elder, Midhat, who is doctor of the Royal ladies,
accompanied the Crown Prince to England for the
Silver Jubilee. He came to Riyadh as a penniless
refugee and is known to have become rich in a few
years, not by doctoring. Stated on very good
evidence to have brought with him from Syria as
maid to his wife an Armenian girl (entered on his
passport as his sister) and to have handed over the
I unwilling girl to Ibn Sa’ud as a concubine.
Accompanied the Amir Mansur on a visit to Egypt
in March 1942.
The younger brother, Fakhri, who describes
t A i himself as an agricultural expert, was in charge
of a small experimental garden at Riyadh in
1939, and was also employed that year as Courier
to Paris. Fakhri was appointed first secretary to
the Sa’udi Legation in Baghdad in 1942 and trans
ferred in 1943 as first Sa’udi Consul to Basra.
Midhat was dismissed by the King in July 1943 but
later reinstated at the request of Yusuf Yasin (q.v.)
and other Syrians in the Sa’udi Government.
79. Shaikho, Muhammad.
A young Syrian formerly in the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs. Accompanied the Amir Sa’ud
to the United Kingdom in 1935 for the Silver
Jp^^^ilee. Sent to the Yemen in 1937 to sign various
agreements on behalf of the Sa’udi Government.
Assisted Yusuf Yasin in negotiating the Sa’udi-
Koweit Agreements at Jedda in 1940-42. Appointed
private secretary to the Amir Mansur in February
1945.
80. Yusuf ibn 'Abdullah al Fauzan.
Formerly lived in Bombay, where he acted as
unofficial agent for Ibn Sa’ud. Appointed consul-
general at Jerusalem in February 1941. An intelli
gent young man with pleasing manners. Speaks
English well. Replaced in Jerusalem, 1945.
Cairo in the summer of 1946, and his application to
visit his home was welcomed by them and approved
by Ibn Sa’ud. He now spends much time in Egypt.
82. Ndsir ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Aqil.
Director of Finance at Jedda. A cousin of Ibrahim
al Suleyman ibn ’Aqil.
83. Suleyman Nainih.
Director of Coastguards. A Nejdi, like nearly all
the rest of the service. Friendly and helpful.
Dismissed in May 1944 for incompetence in dealing
with the smuggling of gold from the Hejaz, but
was reinstated shortly after.
84. A bdul 'Aziz ibn Fawzdn.
Manager of the Royal garage at Riyadh. A
Koweiti by origin who claims, although it is not
known on what grounds, to be a British subject.
Said to have served with the British Red Cross in
Iraq during the war of 1914-18. A fat, sly, talkative
man. He likes strong drink and has an inexhaustible
fund of humorous reminiscences and anecdotes.
During the Yemen war he was in charge, under the
Amir Sa’ud, of the Saudi army’s mechanised
transport. Although not likely to become a figure
of political importance he is worth mentioning as
being on intimate terms with the King and his
advisers and as having proved from time to time
that he has a pretty accurate knowledge of what
goes on in the King’s councils. He is much in
contact with the Amir Mansur who frequents the
garage. Appointed Deputy Minister of Defence in
December 1944 but resigned in January 1945, owing,
according to him, to the intrigues of Shaikh Yusuf
Yasin. Seems to be genuine in his dislike of the
latter as of the rest of the Syrian gang whose
influence in the government of the country he
constantly deplores. Headed a Purchasing Mission
to Cairo, to acquire Disposals Board materials, May
1946.
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81. Bashir as-Sa'ddwi.
A Tripolitan, believed to be related to Khalid a:
Qarqani (q.v.). Like Khalid, fought against the
Italians. In 1939 used by Ibn Sa’ud as emissary in
Syria and was present at all but the most confidential
talks between the King and His Majesty’s Minister
at Riyadh. Holds no definite post but ranks as one
*4^he King’s advisers. Talks Turkish in addition
®*o Arabic but no European language. Was not much
-in evidence during His Majesty’s Minister’s visit to
Riyadh in March 1942, nor during his visits to the
King in the spring of 1944. Accompanied Ibn Sa’ud
to Egypt in February 1945 for the meetings with
President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill. He was sent
to Damascus in February 1946, after accompanying
Ibn Saud on the state visit to Egypt, to act as His
Majesty’s spokesman to the Syrian President on
various issues. He was one of the advisers accom
panying the Amir Saud to Inshass, May 1946. He
especially cultivates the Amir Saud, and seeks to
instruct and develop him. His presence in Tripoli
seemed useful to the Civil Affairs authorities in
85. Sharif Mohsin, Qaid.
Chief of Staff. A husseini trained in the Military
College at Bagdad who rose to the rank of captain
in the Iraqi army. Born about 1897. An excep
tionally keen and comparatively efficient officer with
considerable personality and intelligence. Has
plenty of initiative and ideas but holds the Minister
of Defence in such awe that he will not give a
decision on even unimportant routine matters
before consulting him. He is a hard worker and is
anxious to learn. Is at present studying English
with the British Military Mission and attends the
minor tactics courses and exercises as a student.
After a considerable period during which he
avoided the British Military Mission entirely he is
now co-operating to the best of his ability. An
insignificant-looking man who is generally as quiet
as a mouse, but who can for brief periods show
considerable spirit.
Believed to be generally respected by the Sa’udi
army and to have the confidence of the Minister
of Defence.