Visit of Lord Balniel, Minister of State for Defence, to Persian Gulf 23 September - 8 October 1972

This file concerns the Minister of State for Defence Lord Balniel's [Robert Alexander Lindsay] visits to Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Turkey and the UAE in 1972. It contains a conversation between Balniel and the acting Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 30 September 1972, including reference to:

• Sheikh Khalifa's views on the development of the local armed forced
• Scorpion, Harrier and Vickers Limited demonstrations
• The low state of morale in the Abu Dhabi Defence Force (ADDF)
• The Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's interest in fast petrol boats
• The UAE's progress during its first year
• Preparations for Sheikh Khalifa's visit to the UK.

This file also contains correspondence and memoranda relating to:

• Keeping Iran informed of any deliberations between the Gulf defence ministers to prevent suspicion
• Lord Balniel's visit to Iran, where he persuaded the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to purchase patrol boats, and the Shah voiced his satisfaction with the Chieftain tanks
• A recommendation by Lord Balniel that the Gulf Defence Ministers should hold a meeting to promote co-operation and stability in the area
• Lord Balniel's views on the ADDF, Military Advisory Team (MAT) and Union Defence Force (UDF)
• A letter from the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum to Lord Balniel welcoming Lord Balniel to Dubai and stating that Dubai will continue to require military assistance from HMG
• A letter from the Ruler of Bahrain Amir Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa to Lord Balniel welcoming Lord Balniel to Bahrain and discussing the warm friendship between HMG and Bahrain
• Amir Isa's concern about Abu Dhabi getting rid of its British officers
• A report by Lord Balniel on his tour around the Middle East
• Lord Balniel being the first British Minister to visit Oman and Bahrain since the UK's military withdrawal from the Gulf
• Summaries on Balniel's individual visits
• Preparations for Lord Balniel's tour
• Iran-UAE relations.