Internal political situation in Muscat and Oman

This file contains correspondence relating to:

• Arrangements for moving the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) from Kenya to Bahrain (195)
• Translations of letters written by the Imam of Oman, Ghalib Al Hina'i, to the British Consul in Muscat, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Saeed Bin Taimur (196)
• Request for authority to launch attacks from the air without warning on military targets, while acting in support of ground forces moving on Firq, Nizwa and Izqi. Permission is granted, provided there is no danger of loss of life for civilians and it is advised that warning leaflets should be dropped, if this can be arranged in time (197)
• Arrangements for a telegram to be sent to Pakistani Prime Minister Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy, who is in Amman, informing him of the entry of British forces into Oman (198)
• Copy of the bulletin hebdomadaire du Centre d'Informatique du Proche-Orient (CIPO), dated 25 July 1957. It contains an article titled 'La bataille d'Oman est beaucoup plus qu'une guerre de pétroliers'. It also contains copies of Balkans Express and Inédit Afrique du Nord (199)
• Telegrams reporting that, apart from the Beni Riyam tribe and a number of other leaders, all the other leading Sheikhs and tribes support the Sultan. The Sultan hopes that British troops can remain in Oman long enough to help him secure the surrender of the rebel leaders and of their arms, but it is not guaranteed that British forces will have a longer stay (200)
• Two copies of a paper titled 'The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman: strategic importance, internal history and politics, administration, and population'. The second copy includes an appendix containing a list of places at which the Sultan maintains walis; a diary of events covering the period from 24 July to 30 August 1957; and an amendment to the original paper. The file also contains two copies of a report, titled, 'Notes on certain of the tribes of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman', which includes a table providing summary details of these tribes, including details of their size, locations, leaders and numbers of rifles possessed. The file also contains instructions for the distribution of these papers (201)
• Correspondence regarding the discussion of the Oman situation at the UN. The hope is expressed that, if it is to be discussed, it would just be at the Security Council, rather than in the Assembly. However, it appears currently that the Arab delegates will be content just to have a letter on the topic circulated by the President (202)
• Situation of Iraq in relation to discussions on the Oman question at the UN and by the Arab League. Iraq wants to support Britain without damaging its relations with other Arab States (203)
• Summary of a discussion between H Beeley and Nuri Pasha Al Said. Regarding the situation in Oman, Nuri Pasha suggested that in future, rather than use British forces, there should be the creation of an Arab force under British officers. He also urged Britain to do more to refute the false information being put out by Cairo Radio (204)
• Use of Transport Force in the Arabian Peninsula. The supply of aircraft for the deployment of forces operating in Oman is only just sufficient, so proposals are made for the future use of transport forces (205)
• Summary of international broadcasts on the situation in Oman (206)
• Correspondence regarding the situation at Firq, where the opposition is tougher than expected (207)
• Reports from the Political Residency in Bahrain, covering 6-20 August and providing daily updates of the operations in Oman (208)
• Request to the Commander of the British Forces, Arabian Peninsula, for a timetable of intended operations (209)