Appendix 97: Bird to Jackson 11/12/’51

We are doing our best at this end to try and work out some solution for the Baraimi problem amongst others and, for your own private information, we are now prepared to accept the position of having to pay Rs.3/- per ton to the Shaikh concerned and also to the Sultan of Muscat. We have told the F.O. and asked them if it is not possible to come to some arrangement whereby we are at liberty to obtain a concession from the Shaikhs without infringing the sovereign rights of the Sultan. The F.O. are examining this suggestion and we can do nothing more at this present stage.

I think it would be a good idea if Edward [Henderson] or Codrai could convey to the Baraimi people the fact that we are doing our best to help them and that we hope that they will not be stupid enough to accept bribes from the Sa’udi authorities which might conceivably end up by them themselves not benefitting from the operations of an oil company and having to sit back and watch the proceeds being handed over to Ibn Sa’ud; in their own interests they would be well advised to resist any pressure from the Sa’udis and to rely on H.M.G. and ourselves to give them a much squarer deal than they would otherwise get.

Do you think it would be any good my writing personally to Saqr, Ubaid, Bin Rahmah, and, if so, would you draft me a letter which will, of course, have to be very carefully worded and, at present, rather non-committal but at the same time encouraging?

Appendix 98: Bird's Notes on Meeting with Sheikh Shakhbut 4/3/’52

While sipping our coffee cups in Abu Dhabi Fort, Shaikh Shakhbut told Mr. Bird about the warm welcome his brother Haza’ received in Muscat during his recent visit to the Sultan. Shakhbut also mentioned the complimentary letter he had received from the Sultan on this occasion. In his letter, Shaikh Shakhbut said, the Sultan expressed his wish to restore the good relations between himself and Shaikh Shakhbut to what they were during the times of their ancestors.