Omani Liberation Army

This file relates to the military situation in Muscat and Oman regarding the loss of control of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Saeed Bin Taimur over central Oman. It contains correspondence concerning:

• The statements of Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd to the House of Commons on the situation in Oman on 23 and 25 July 1957
• International press reaction to the situation in Oman, including reports from: the Associated Press, America, Pravda, Lebanon, Baghdad, Cairo, Pakistan and Tripoli. It also includes instructions from HMG on the official line to take with correspondents; the question of allowing both British and American journalists into Muscat; the rumour that the conflict in Oman is due to competing British and US oil interests; and the question of the wording of BBC reports on the Omani rebels
• The reaction of various governments and organisations to the Oman situation, including Lebanon, Iraq, the US and the Arab League
• HMG’s provision of information on the situation in Oman to its posts and embassies, including HM Embassy in Paris for use in a statement to NATO
• The number of British nationals present in Muscat and Oman and details of oil operations there
• Discussions between the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, the Consulate-General in Muscat, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Foreign Secretary and HMG’s military commanders in the Gulf on the conducting of military operations in Oman. It includes meetings of the Local Intelligence Committee (Persian Gulf), the Military Co-ordination Committee (Persian Gulf); the production of daily situation reports; P R M Waterfield’s requirements in terms of equipment and supplies for Muscat’s forces from the Foreign Office and MoD; and various communications on military operations between Head Quarters British Forces Arabian Peninsula, Head Quarters Land Forces Persian Gulf and MIDEAST Command
• The production of leaflets for distribution by air over central Oman. It includes the text of a new pamphlet in Arabic and English, detailing restrictions in movement for the area of the Jebel Akhdar
• The situation in Oman’s impact on the Trucial States. It includes J P Tripp’s meeting with Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi over the situation; the need to determine the strength of the Trucial Oman Scouts detachment to be left in Ras Al Khaimah with the rest to be sent to Oman; and the detention of four Omanis in Dubai
• Petroleum Development (Oman) Limited’s report on the local situation in Oman and its operations there
• The proposals for psychological warfare in Oman, including a potential radio station at Fahud
• The Sultan’s reassurance to the government of Pakistan that its military personnel seconded to the Sultanate will not be used for combat
• The visit of W B M Johnston to Bahrain to help with public relations
• The question of the loyalty of local Sheikhs in Al Dhahirah according to E F Henderson; and the loyalty of the Abriyin [Ibriyyin] and Baluch tribes
• The Foreign Secretary’s comment on the damage the Oman situation is doing to UK-US relations.