Visit by Margaret Thatcher, UK Prime Minister, to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Qatar, April 1981

This file relates to a visit by the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to India, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE and Qatar. It contains correspondence regarding:

• A suspected leak to the press about the visit to Abu Dhabi
• The question of including Qatar in the visit in view of important commercial possibilities; consideration of any potential offence caused to Bahrain and Kuwait; and the question of thus announcing the visit to Qatar at the last minute
• Plans for the Prime Minister to visit Bahrain and Kuwait at a later date
• HMG officials’ pursuit of approval from the Rulers for the timing of the visit
• Omani sensitivities concerning the order of the Prime Minister’s visits
• Opposition to proposals for a delegation of business representatives accompanying the Prime Minister
• Plans for the attendance of the Prime Minister at the Queen’s birthday party in Abu Dhabi
• Arrangements for transport, accommodation, communications, entertainment, administration, protocol, and hairdressing
• Coordinating interdepartmental briefing for the Prime Minister
• The drafting of major speeches
• The promotion of specific proposals and plans for cooperation in the Gulf, including defence sales, military, educational and cultural cooperation, and investment
• Recent visits by British ministers and dignitaries to the Gulf
• Figures for the number of British citizens, and the value of UK exports and imports to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman
• The giving and receiving of gifts; and the production of a photo album as a gift to King Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
• Itinerary planning and arrangements
• Arrangements for the Prime Minister’s husband and daughter, Denis Thatcher and Carol Thatcher
• The preparation of briefings for social occasions, leading personalities, and speeches
• The Prime Minister’s programme in Dubai and the question of her visiting the International Trade Centre and attending the ‘British Week’ opening ceremony at the Dubai Metropolitan Hotel
• Visits to senior members of the Saudi Royal Family