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British Residency,
BAHRAIN
CONFIDENTIAL
86
12 January 1968
Qatar/Saudi Frontier
Thank you for your letter 4/1 of 4 January to thePolitical Resident, who is at present away from Bahrain.
2. I am not entirely surprised by the Ruler's change ofmind described in your para 2. But it is a pity nothingwas put in writing, if only because developments since youwrote your letter will almost inevitably result in ahardening of Qatar's attitude to Abu Dhabi. The Qatariswill now be less likely to risk offending the Saudis orindeed to reach a seabed settlement with Abu Dhabi lessfavourable than one they might hope, in the light of theMinister of State's visit, to secure for themselves byexercising patience.
3. However we must do what we can to keep them on theright course, even if our ability to influence them is nowdiminished.
(H.G. Balfour-Paul)
R.H.M. Boyle, Esq., D.S.C.,DOHA.
Copied to:
M.C.G. Man, Jedda,S. Weir, Arabian Dept.,A.T. Lamb, Abu Dhabi
CONFIDENTIAL
