Reports on the Kuwait Administration: activities of subversive elements in Kuwait; work of the Higher Executive Committee

This file contains correspondence relating to:

• Discussion around the ways in which British influence could be introduced to the Kuwait administration, including: a request for information on the organisation of the Kuwait Government; a copy of the list of overseas staff of the Government and contractors [enclosed]; a list of the principal officials of Kuwait; Political Resident in the Persian Gulf B A B Burrows's suggestion of 'patient opportunism' as the best method; and consideration of British involvement in the succession (1-2, 4-6)
• Discussion of elections for government department committees, including: the procedure followed and the Ruler of Kuwait's intentions; and reports on the elections held for the Municipality, the Department of Education and the Department of Awqaf (3, 7)
• Presentation of a petition to the Ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Abdulla Al Salem Al Sabah, by a group of merchants and subsequent plans for the formation of an advisory council (8, 12)
• Newly formed High Executive Committee including: a list of members; comments on the committee; D A Logan's impressions; and the departure of Mr Strover (9-11, 13, 22-23)
• Subversive activities, including: a translation of a note [enclosed] to Sheikh Abdulla by the Democratic Party of Kuwait, which includes heavy criticism of British and American activity; translations of subversive pamphlets [enclosed]; the Ruling Family's concerns; and a report on subversive propaganda (19-20, 26-27)
• Conversation between D A Logan and the Ruler regarding the Executive Committee, and plans to appoint an Egyptian accountant, and an Egyptian notary for the courts (14)
• Possibility of Burrows going to visit Sheikh Abdulla in Lebanon to discuss Kuwait's internal situation (15, 17-18)
• Suggestion to take advantage of the Ruler's worry about the relationship between his family and the town to press him to reform his administration with the help of a British advisor, the suggestion of a Kuwait civil service and comments on the position of Izzat Ja'far (16)
• Burrows' general impressions of the economic and political situation in Kuwait (21)
• Comments from the British Bank of the Middle East's Kuwait Manager on the Higher Committee, the Public Works Department, expenditure, and criticism of the present system (24)
• Enquiry by the US State Department regarding development and the distribution of subversive literature by communists (25)
• Recent movement of Kuwait personalities, including Ja'far (28)