780.022/6–3053: Telegram
No. 1521
The Consul General at Dhahran
(Bishop) to
the Department of State1
niact
254. Re Deptel 272 repeated information Jidda 697, London 8253.2 Have just returned from Bahrein where I saw LeQuesne,3 First Secretary, Political Residency, who gave me following British version incident near Buraimi: Hay, who returned this morning from Kuwait, confirmed LeQuesne’s remarks.
About nine months ago Shaikh Obaid Bin Jume of Beni Kab Tribe went to Turki and professed allegiance Saudi Arabia. He may also have gone Riyadh. At same time other leaders Beni Kab Tribe particularly Shaikh’s nephew, Abdulla Bin Salim, resented Obaid’s profession allegiance Saudi Arabia and went to British political agent at Sharja requesting protection. UK considers Beni Kab to be subjects of Sultan and territory where they lived to belong to Muscat. They informed Salim that he should obtain assistance from Sultan who later asked British provide protection for his “subjects”. British, from time to time, subsequently sent Levies into Salim’s village of Shirm at Sultan’s request.
After “blockade” of Turki, all was quiet around Buraimi until about six weeks ago when Turki again became active and is believed to have instigated Obaid. On May 30 Obaid established “check point” at Mahadha and seized truck going to Buraimi. He announced at that time that all future supplies for [garble] Bin Sultan (who has remained loyal to Sultan of Muscat throughout dispute) and for Zaid Vin Khalifa (brother of ruler of Abu Dhabi and local governor at Buraimi) would be confiscated in reprisal for blockade of Amir Turki. About two and a half weeks ago vehicle belonging to Adenese Levies was shot at about dusk near this [Page 2548] check point. Arabs responsible apologized and said that mistake had been made. Few days later second vehicle was shot at and tire punctured. British believe that Obaid was paid large sum of money by Turki about June 20. On Friday, June 26, Buckmaster from British political agency at Sharja and British officer commanding Levies while returning from Buraimi to Sharja, were fired on (about ten shots. from hills behind check point and when they reached Mahadha they were told that they could proceed only at their own peril. As result they returned to Buraimi and reported to political agent at Sharja.
Meanwhile, Shaikh’s nephew, Abdulla Bin Salim, again appealed to British for protection because he felt attack was imminent. On Saturday, June 27, British moved 60 or 70 Levies in jeeps and trucks to Shirm. Upon arrival they were fired on from neighboring village of Nuwai. They returned fire and killed some three tribesmen. There is no definite report how long fighting went on. Eventually, head man Ali Bin Ahmed of Nuwai village came over and asked for peace which was granted. There were no armored cars involved and no bombers. While the fighting between village of Nuwai and Shirm was going on British political agent at Sharja, who had been investigating report from Buckmaster, flew over Shirm and Nuwai in unarmed RAF Anson transport. Plane was fired on but was not hit.
On Saturday, June 27, ultimatum was given by Buckmaster to Obaid to effect that if latter did not give undertaking to remove check point within 24 hours British would take whatever steps they considered necessary and would themselves remove check point. Obaid rejected ultimatum and reinforced check point to 100 men. After expiration of time given, British on Monday morning, June 29, removed check point by force. Total number of casualties known to the British for both actions were three killed, four wounded. So far as British know none were killed at Mahadha during removal of check point and only four were wounded there. There were three known killed during fighting between two villages. All of these places located not far from Buraimi at edge of mountains on road between Buraimi and Sharja. According to report which came Residency while I was there Ali Bin Ahmed and Abdulla Bin Salim are now reported to have sworn mutual defense pact and together have guaranteed to keep road open.
In discussing this with me Hay emphasized that according to his reports Obaid had been obstructing road to Buraimi and had thus forced British to take action open road and remove forces stopping traffic.
With regard to alleged detention of certain numbers of people in burning sun, I was informed that so far as British here are now [Page 2549] aware no one was detained out of doors but a group of 30 or 40 people coming from south of Buraimi were prohibited from entering Hamasa and visiting Amir Turki. This in keeping with blockade. They do allow people who live in village to go out and buy food but they are not allowing anyone visit Turki. British political agent at Sharja has, however, been requested comment on charge that Arabs were “detained in the sun”. Saudis have protested incident to British Government and reply will be made as soon as political agent reports.
- Repeated to Jidda and London.↩
- Dated June 29, not printed. It requested the Consul General to approach the British authorities in Bahrain regarding the report contained in telegram 250, supra, and telegram 249, which transmitted the letter of King Saud of June 28, Document 1519.↩
- Charles Martin LeQuesne, British First Secretary and Consul at Bahrain.↩