British Conservative Party policy on withdrawal from Gulf

This file relates to the Conservative Party policy of reversing the planned withdrawal from the Gulf. It contains memoranda and correspondence concerning:

• Conservative policy concerning withdrawal from ‘East of Suez’, including a speech by Conservative leader Edward Heath regarding the danger to the Gulf posed by the Soviet Union; and statements made by senior Conservatives regarding the policy
• Problems posed by suggestions to the Rulers of Bahrain and Kuwait that withdrawal would be reversed under a Conservative government
• HMG’s concern regarding the policy inhibiting preparations for a successful withdrawal
• Question of consensus among Conservatives regarding the policy; and Shadow Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home’s lukewarm attitude
• Speculation within the Arabian Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the rationale of the Shadow Cabinet behind the Conservative policy
• Articles from The Times regarding Conservative foreign and taxation policy
• Pamphlet by the Conservative Research Department entitled ‘East of Suez’
• The Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s position on withdrawal and the Union of Arab Emirates
• Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s position on withdrawal

The file also relates specifically to Heath’s visit to the Middle East, containing memoranda and correspondence regarding:

• Anticipated impact of the visit in the Gulf
• The Union and the implications of his policy for its future
• Territorial dispute between Bahrain and Iran
• Articles from The Times, Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, Evening Standard, The Economist, Al Yaqza, Kayhan International, Iran Tribune and Al Adhwaa' concerning the tour, and details of Heath’s contacts with the press
• Heath’s meetings with the Shah of Iran, King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, President Gamal Abdul Nasser of the United Arab Republic, senior Kuwaiti ministers, the Rulers of Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Qatar and the Sultan of Oman and the Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meir
• Draft paper summarising the views of the Gulf Rulers and their populations concerning Heath’s tour and British withdrawal
• Transcripts of broadcasts on the Voice of the Arabs
• Differing accounts of the audience between Heath and the Shah, accompanied by press coverage and correspondence between Roy Roebuck MP and the Prime Minister relating to the dispute
• Dispute between the Shah and the Western Oil Consortium regarding oil revenues