RESTRICTED BRITISH EMBASSY 3 DOHA 18 December 1973 A D Harris Esq. Middle East Department Foreign & Commonwealth Office London SW1 Dess Tour GIFTS FOR QATAR MUSEUM Thank you for your letter of 4 December about gifts for the Qatar Museum. I have discussed the suggestions in paragraph 4 of your letter with Butts. He would welcome all of the titles mentioned. He thought a Koran would not be necessary now since they have found some good editions themselves but the illuminated manuscripts would be most welcome. In addition to the books mentioned we think that a copy of Bertram Thomas (who stayed in Qatar at the house of the Minister of Health following his crossing of the Rub al Khali) and possibly Elizabeth Monroe's new bookePhilby would be acceptable. Butts was devoid of other ideas but suggested that you might speak again to Michael Rice in case he had any particular thoughts. Although the Qataris have translated Lorimer we still think that a set of Lorimer would be worth giving. This together with the other titles would, we think,make a very nice package. There is one further thought. The Museum will have a maritime section and if it were possible to get a model of an early British India steamer or even an earlier East Indian-man this would also be appreciated. RD Gordon RESTRICTED
