- 4 - CA1083 10 substantiate them. The alleged visit to the island by Hajji Williamson is discussed in Mr. Le Quesne's letter 1088/3/53 of February 11, 1953, to Mr. ROSS and the regular visits by officials of the Qatar Government mentioned in paragraph 7 of the Ruler's letter appeared in fact to have been fishing expeditions by Group-Captain Plant and Mr. Cochrane. On the whole I incline to favour the claim of Abu Dhabi, but I wish to recommend that in the first instance the matter should be submitted to your legal advisers for an opinion as to which of the two Rulers has the better claim to the island. 4. Whereas Shaikh Ali has agreed to accept as final the decision of Her Majesty's Government, Shaikh Shakhbut has hitherto refused to consider even the possibility of the Ruler of Qatar's having a claim to Halul. If the decision goes in favour of Abu Dhabi it will merely remain to tell Shaikh Ali that his claim has been considered and found to be less strong than Shaikh Shakhbut's. Should the decision go the other way we shall have to consider how we are to break the news to Shaikh Shakhbut. But I consider that we may wait and cross that bridge when we come to it. 5. In conclusion I would express the hope that this matter may be dealt with quickly and that I may be favoured with your decision as soon as possible. Either Ruler is likely to raise the matter again at any moment and the Ruler of Qatar at least has displayed /some
