CONFIDENTIAL BRIEF NO A 2 THE GULF (AND OMAN/PDRY) (FOR USE IN ISLAMABAD/TEL AVIV) GENERAL By the end of 1971 HMG had terminated all the special treaty relations with the protected states of the Gulf. Bahrain and Qatar achieved separate independent status on 15 August and 3 September 1971 respectively. The Trucial States, with the exception of Ras al Khaimah, joined together to form the United Arab Emirates on 2 December. Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE all became members of the Arab League and of the United Nations. 2. The withdrawal of British forces (except rear parties) was also completed before the end of December, and the Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS) were handed over to the Union Defence Force (UDF). This step was fore-shadowed in the Secretary of State's staterent to the House of Commons on 1 March 1971. Other decisions which flowed from the same statement were the setting up, with the agreement of the Rulers, of a small Military Advisory Team (MAT); the continuation of the policy of seconding British officers to the local defence forces and of naval visits and training exercises by units of the British Army; and increased technical assistance, coupled with a greater effort by the British Council. THE UAE 3. The UAE is making a slow start. There is little sign yet of the machinery of government which the Union will need if CONFIDENTIAL
