TRUCIAL COAST DIARY FOR JANUARY 1957

ABU DHABI:

Abu Dhabi was visited on 3rd, 19th and 29th January on the last occasion with Ali Tajir of P. C. L. Bahrain.

On 3rd January the night was spent with the Political Officer, and the Ruler was visited on 4th January. No business was discussed with the Ruler on this occasion. He showed considerable interest in the Shell rig disaster off Qatar and rumours which were subsequently said to be incorrect, gave the figure of Abu Dhabi subjects missing as anything from 100 to 250.

In discussion the Political Officer said that an attempt was being made to get Messrs. African and Eastern Limited interested in the development of Abu Dhabi with the idea, presumably, to take over from the Abu Dhabi Development Company which went bankrupt last year.

Dr. McCaully also called on the Ruler on 4th January and the latter did not appear particularly pleased when he learnt that Dr. D’Sousa was in Buraimi at the time without his knowledge.

The purpose for the visit of 19th January was to introduce Mr. G. D. Entwistle to the Ruler. The party from El Hamra consisted of Messrs. Cooper, Entwistle, Chandler and Smith. The last two did not call on the Ruler. No business was discussed with Shaikh Shakhbut.

Messrs. Buckmaster and Hillyard were also visited. Both were concerned about a report that there had recently been another incident at Gezira between the Shaikh’s guards there and a hunting party from Qatar. Subsequently this proved to be a reiteration of the November incident.

Hillyard mentioned that Shaikh Shakhbut was considering employing British officers for his ‘Police’ force.

Hillyard was having some trouble with the Ruler over a traffic accident involving a Britisher and an Abu Dhabi subject. The Ruler insists that the case is taken to court and the whole legal procedure followed in spite of both A. D. M. A.’s and the victim’s willingness to settle the matter out of court. The Ruler is apparently trying to establish a precedent to be followed on all future occasions.