Relations with United Kingdom

This file concerns Qatar’s internal political affairs and its relations with the UK in 1968-69. It contains notes, correspondence and memoranda on:

• The Adviser to the Qatari Government Dr Hassam Kamel’s visit to the UK in September 1969, to attend a board meeting arranged by the Qatar Petroleum Company; and arrangements for Dr Kamel’s calls on G G Arthur and D J McCarthy to discuss Qatar’s relations with Saudi Arabia
• Conversations between the Political Agent in Dubai D A Roberts and the Deputy Ruler of Qatar Sheikh Khailfa Bin Hamad Al Thani on 3 July 1969, 9 March 1969 and 28 October 1968, including reference to Sheikh Khalifa’s support for a Union of Arab Emirates, the question of whether it should contain eight or nine states, the need for a union defence force, Iran’s claim to Bahrain, Britain’s intention to withdraw from the Gulf, the Abu Dhabi-Qatari boundary dispute, the slow progress of retrocession in Qatar and an agreement signed by Abu Dhabi and Qatar in which the two states pledged to protect and secure their coastal areas, in order to restrict illegal immigration
• Roberts meetings with Dr Kamel and the Ruler of Qatar Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani on 9 March, including reference to Qatar’s relations with Iran, a proposed union constitution and Qatar’s economic affairs
• A meeting between Roberts and Sheikh Ahmad on 27 October 1968.