Development in Oman

This file concerns political events in Oman. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Question of whether the Muscat and Oman Field Force (MOFF), also known as the Huqf Force, should advance further north to take Dhank and perhaps even to join up with the Batinah Force. Some of the Dhank Sheikhs have approached the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Saeed Bin Taimur to ask him to occupy the town, but the Sultan wants to wait for an invitation from Sheikh Saqr Bin Sultan Al Humood Al Nuaimi, who holds an important fort nearby
• Survey of the road between Ibri to Khaburah, being carried out under the supervision of the Sultan's representative Sheikh Sultan Bin Saif Al Hawsani, with a view to opening this route
• Attitude of Egypt and the Arab League towards the situation in Oman
• Request from the Sultan for the RAF to take photographs of Ibri and the surrounding area for the preparation of maps
• Letter from the Sultan to the Consul General in Muscat F C L Chauncy, mentioning his meeting with Sheikh Saleh Bin Isa Al Harthi, and Sheikh Saleh's efforts to restore good relations between the Sultan and the Imam of Oman
• Despatch from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf B A B Burrows to the Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, reporting on the events of the previous four months
• Media reports and broadcasts in Egypt commenting on Oman
• Visit of Hamid Ghaylany to Jebal Akdar [Jebel Akhdar], where he met Sheikh Sulaiman Bin Himyar Al Nabhani and heard a speech by the Imam of Oman Ghalib Bin Ali Al Hina'i
• Visit by a Duru Sheikh called Sulaiman Bin Kharas, who claimed to be sent by the Imam to propose a peace
• Plans of Petroleum Development (Oman) Limited (PDO) to sink a test well at Fahud
• Suggestions for the MOFF to move its headquarters to Ibri and for it to be supplied with more transport
• Reports of the plans of Turki Bin Abdulla Al Ataishan to visit tribes located to the east of the disputed area and the need for the MOFF to patrol in this region