TRUCIAL COAST DIARY FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31 JANUARY 1954

GENERAL:

As from 1st March travel documents issued by the Rulers will only be valid for travel to Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar when bearing a Visa issued by the British Agency. Local subjects travelling on documents issued by the Agency will not require visas for Bahrain or Qatar, but will continue to require visas for Kuwait.

A Baghdadi author, Dr Haji Abdullah El Askari, who describes themselves as a delegate of the World Muslim Conference, visited these parts during the month, and was a guest of several of the Rulers. He has a good knowledge of local affairs and is engaged in writing a book on Oman.

The three Adenis who are held on a charge of murder are still imprisoned in Sharjah, awaiting trial. Earlier in the month it had been decided that the trial was to take place in Muscat, HMG, and the Sultan have mutually agreed that the crime had taken place on Muscat territory, but the Politicals have now had to withdraw their agreement to this, as the Sultan will not permit a defending officer to be present at the trial.

A very strong shammal hit the coast at the beginning of the month. One launch travelling from Bahrain to Dubai is said to have been sunk, whilst another ran aground at Zirko, but without loss of life. Two Gray MacKenzie barges were caught outside the creek when the shammal started, and were washed ashore where they filled with water. Five sacks of mail, and general cargo, mainly Japanese piece goods to the value of about 12 lacks of Rupees was ruined. The “Dwarka” broke her moorings during the night and left for Bahrain, taking with her all the Gray MacKenzie clerks and visitors from Dubai.

The Rulers of Ras al Khaima, Sharjah and Fujairah appear to have started claim-jumping, and the Political Agent is again being forced to consider the internal boundary question. There is every reason to believe that Sharjah and Fujairah are uniting in their attempts to push their claims against Ras al Khaima. There are now four claimants for Manama – Ajman, Sharjah, Ras al Khaima and Fujairah. Twelve thousand young orange trees were brought from Basra to Dubai in a Boom, and have been sold at two Rupees each and taken to many parts of the Coast for transplanting.