BRITISH RESIDENCY, 4th Aptii BAHRAIN CONFIDENTIAL 12 APR 1965 Biosta I enclose a brief record, drafted by Jock puncan, of my conversation with the Sultan of Muscat when I wisited Salalah 26-28 March. 2. On the subject of preparations for the future I found this talk pretty depressing. The Sultan seemed far less sure of what he wanted to do than he appeared to be when I last saw him in November. My impression is that after the first flush of enthusiasm he is now persuading himself that he should wait until oil revenue is actually coming in before he does virtually anything at all, i.e. until the end of 1967. 3. However, since the Sultan has asked for our help in finding someone to advise him on the administrative structure of the Sultanate, I think we should do our best to obtain the services of a suitable man. Claud Wallis, who went down well with the Bahrainis on a recent similar exercise, is an obvious candidate, if his health would permit him to take on the job, Salalah weather is not too bad in April and May and air-conditioned acommodation would be available. Muscat weather is worse at this time of year. Could you please have Wallis approached on this subject and if he is interested ask him to say how soon he could come and what honorarium he would expect for about a month. The Sultan would of course pay for his air passages. If Wallis is not available, I should be grateful for any other suggestions you may have. 4. I am writing separately about the Subsidy Review and the Sultan's relations with Shell. 5. Copies of this letter and enclosure go to Jock Duncan in Muscat. (W. H. Luce) T. F. Brenchley, Esq., C.M.G., FOREIGN OFFICE CONFIDENTIAL
