6 EASTERN DEPARTMENT EA 102212 ARABIA CONFIDENTIAL No. 1034 Dated Dee 3. Kuwait's external relaturis Received in Registry References to former relevant papers MINUTES In these important letters the Political Resident and the Political Agent'in Kuwait discuss a question fundamental to our relationship with Kuwait (and, mutatis mutandi, with the other interested States) i.e., how we should discharge our responsibility for the conduct of their foreign relations. 2. I have often heard the Ruler of Kuwait say that the relationship between Britain and Kuwait is not based on sentiment ( ls) but on common interests ) And although the Ruler and .( (Print) (How disposed of) many other Kuwaitis do still attach importance to our presence in the Gulf as a protective shield allowing them to enjoy their prosperity and to avoid the necessity of sharing their oil wealth with their neighbours, it is clear that they will watch increasingly closely our performance in relation to their disputes with their neighbours. They will want to be assured that they are getting value from a relationship which earns them so much criticism in other Arab countries. 3. In essence the recommendations of Sir Bernard Burrows and Mr. Halford about the problem are as follows: (a) That we should be entirely frank with the Kuwaitis in the conduct of their foreign relations and that to avoid later misunderstandings we should carry them along with us at every stage of negotiations on their behalf even to the extent of showing them the exact texts on communications made to foreign governments on their behalf; (Action completed) (Index) (b) that before entering into negotiations relating to any particular Kuwaiti claim we should decide (if possible with Kuwaiti agreement) to what limit we can press that claim without damage to Kuwait's long term interests and without committing us to defend the claim by force except when we really are in the last resort prepared to use force. Having decided that limit we should then argue Kuwait's claim up to that limit "in a loud voice" (see paragraph 4 of Sir Bernard Burrows letter within) even when we realise that we have little hope of securing general acceptance of that claim; References to later relevant papers M4630 51726-1A
