"ملف II (F 94) 82/34 امتياز شركة أ.ب.و.ك" [و‎‎١‎٧‎٠] (٣٦٢/٢٩٦)

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3.
or proprietary rights to the sea bed under the high seas*
A further point is that on the principles accepted
above there is no real reason why the Company should limit
its claims to the distance of 12 miles. The limits of 6
and 12 miles derive authority only from a Persian claim
which we cannot recognise; and once the 3 mile limit is
passed there is no special virtue in any further limit of
6 or 12 miles. We assume, however, that you mention the
limit of 12 miles simply on the presumption that the Persians
would not attempt to grant concessions beyond that limit,
and there is no need therefore for the Anglo-Iranian to stake
any more extensive claim.
The concession area which the Company appears from
the record of youi'* conversation with My lies, to have in
view would be generally satisfactory in that it will not be
directly associated with any limit of territorial waters.
There would be obvious dangers if# for instance# the limits
of the area claimed coincided entirely or largely with either
the 6 mile or the 12 mile limit.
From a preliminary examination it does not appear
that the proposed concession would encroach anywhere (except
at the Shatt) on our essential interests, or that it is
necessary at this stage to make any specific stipulations in
the interests of navigation. The company might be asked,
however, to forward a chart showing their proposed claim as
soon as they have finally settled it in order that this
point can be checked. Also they might be warned that we
would expect them, before commencing operati )ns on the hi :h
seas or in the neighbourhood of the Shatt, to consult with
H.M. Government, and to make all provision which we may
consider necessary for the safety of navigation and the
protection/