Withdrawal of British forces from Persian Gulf

This file relates to the planned withdrawal of British forces from the Gulf in 1971. It contains correspondence, newspaper cuttings and press extracts concerning:

• HMG's wish to settle, before its withdrawal, the boundary dispute between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia in Buraimi, the median line east of Qatar, Iran's claim to Bahrain and Iran's disputes with Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah over Abu Musa and the Tunb Islands
• A paper on the political and security factors affecting the process of Britain's withdrawal
• The question of what generating sets in the power house at Sharjah airfield should be overhauled by maintenance teams, bearing in mind Britain's impending withdrawal; and the question of disposing of HMG's assets
• An article in 14 October suggesting that Britain plans to change Masirah Island into an atomic base
• The question of the Ministry of Defence's legal responsibility for any claims for loss or injury due to explosives left in the ground by British Forces
• The Conservative Party's intention to reverse the withdrawal decision if it wins the next election
• Talks between Reginald Maudling MP and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum regarding the exclusion of Bahrain from the Union of Arab Emirates
• Notices of parliamentary questions and motions, 11 February 1970, on a range of issues
• The reaction of the Ruler of Qatar Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani
• US interest in the timetable of Britain's withdrawal
• The question of the timing and extent to which HMG inform the Gulf Rulers of the withdrawal plan and draft speaking notes for political agents
• A paper setting out questions to be considered if British withdrawal is cancelled or delayed
• An editorial in Sada Al Usbu regarding the Conservative Party election victory, warning it not to reverse the previous government's withdrawal policy
• The Permanent Under Secretary's request for evidence of the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's attitude to the Conservative Party's intention to reverse the withdrawal decision
• A brief on the 'Rundown of the British Army', for use by the Defence Secretary at a Defence and Overseas Policy Committee meeting
• The question of withdrawing and replacing an infantry battalion in Sharjah
• A study of the short-term alternative world-wide deployments to meet the Northern Ireland commitment, by the Defence Operational Planning Staff.