CONFIDENTIAL FROM DOIA TO FOREIGN OFFICE Cypher/OTP D. 11.05 17 September, 1965/D 17 September, 1965 R. 11.50 17 September, 1965 59 20 SEP 1965 PRIORITY CONFIDENTIAL Addressed to Bahrain telegram No. 135 of 17 September. Repeated for information to: Foreign Office Tehran Dubai Abu Dhabi Bahrain (Agency). Your telegram No. 94 Saving of 14 September: Gulf Currency. 2. The Ruler and Deputy Ruler are both resisting change of title, but not so strongly as before. Mehdi Tegir, who leaves for Dubai this morning, is op timistic of final outcone, but considers that his trip to Iran to put Gulf States' point of view will have to come first. He hopes to go there cbcut 22 September. I gather that he has recently seen tho Khalifa ef Bahrain who is also open to persuasion. 3. I have had talks with the Ruler and Mehdi Tagir, and am duo for another talk with the Ruler tomorrow. My feeling is that there is no point in rushing this. Unfortunately, main reasons for resistance are (a) unwillingness of Qatar or, for that matter, any other of the states to lead the way to a change, and (b) bloody-mindedness because of Iran's tactless threat to cut off trade. 2. Recomnend we-await results of Mehdi Tagir's Iran visit before wading-in further. Foreign Office pass Tehran No. 6. (Repeated as requested). DISTRIBUTED TO: 195 Arabian Dept. Eastern Dept. N.E.A.D. CONFIDENTIAL
