Bahrain: political situation

This file relates to demands for reform in Bahrain by the Higher Executive Committee (HEC) and the reaction of the Ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. It covers correspondence on:

• An assembly held on 7 October 1955, to commemorate the first anniversary of the HEC and in memory of Hussein Bin Ali
• Comments from Y K Almoayyed on the HEC, the Ruling Family and the attitude of the people towards the Ruler, the British and Charles Belgrave
• Negotiations between HEC and Sheikh Salman, including: HEC’s concession to the postponement of the question of a legislative council; Sheikh Salman’s agreement to establish municipal councils and councils for education and health, each of which will have half of its members freely elected by the people; and Sheikh Salman’s eventual agreement to recruit an expert to draft civil and criminal codes and to organise the courts and security in line with international regulations and to bring in a judge to sit with local judges
• Secret naval arrangements
• Consideration of the form which a legislative council might take.