"ملف 8/8 II التقارير الإدارية السنوية لوكالة البحرين" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٠] (٧٢٠/٢٩٩)

(h) Relations between the Company and the Shaikh
There is little change from last year’s report. The
Shaikh has had no cause for complaint against the foreign
employees of the Company. As previously explained, the
chief difficulty in maintaining amicable relations is the
desire of the Shaikh to interfere in the Company’s recruit
ment and administration of Qatar employees. As the object
of all this interference is personal gain it will be
realised that it is difficult to discourage it.
For the last year or two the Shaikh has had under
consideration a scheme for engaging an oil adviser.
Apparently he is not desirous of engaging a person of any
high status and this rules out Europeans. For some time
he was corresponding with Iraqis but nothing definite was
settled and the appointment appears to be in abeyance for
the time being. The Shaikh was also thinking of offering
the job to a Persian employee of the A.I.O.C. It is
unlikely that the terms the Shaikh has in view willtempt
any responsible type of foreigner. An aspect of this matter,
however, which is not without interest is that the Shaikh
seems to be prepared to go a very long way towards the
conclusion of such an engagement without seeking the advice
of any outside authority.
2. TRUCIAL COAST EXPLORATION 1941
Geological Exploration
The Trucial Coast Shaikhs have been informed that no
geological exploration can be undertaken during the war.
As explained in last year’s report, the Rulers appear to
understand the difficulties. They are apparently quite
content to draw their periodical concession payments and
in most cases are probably glad to postpone the respon
sibilities which will devolve upon them when Company
parties penetrate into their territories. As regards
future payments, it is expected that the Shaikhs will all
eventually demand to be paid in silver coin failing gold,
and it is hoped that any future restrictions on export of
^ silver from Bahrain or India will not interfere with the
discharge in silver of the Company’s obligations under
its various concessions and T ’option TT agreements.
3. MUSCAT & DHOFAR AGREEMENTS
The option period of both the above agreements expire
on the 23rd Tune 1942. The Company propose to invoke
clause 8 of the Amendments to the Muscat & Dhofar Agreements
and extend the option period in both cases for another
two years. The terms for such an extension-are the same
as those of the original agreements with an additional
initial payment in each case of Rs.10,000/-.
MANAGER.