Formation of United Arab Emirates

This file is part 'K' in a sequence relating to the Union of Arab Emirates. It contains correspondence on:

• The meetings held in preparation for an agreement on union between C J Treadwell and the Rulers of Dubai Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ahmad Al Suwaidi, Adnan Pachachi and Mahdi Al Tajir
• The Iranian view that settlement of the Gulf islands dispute should precede a union agreement; and the consultations between P E Ramsbotham and Iranian officials Dr Abbas Ali Khalatbari, Manuchehr Zelli and Ardeshir Zahedi
• The question of how closely Iran and Saudi Arabia should be informed about the progress of union negotiations
• Saudi Arabia's continued advocacy of a union of nine
• The question of whether some of the Rulers might seek to federate with Saudi Arabia
• Talks between Saudi official Omar Saqqaf and the Ambassador W Morris.

The file also contains correspondence on:

• The agreement in principle reached on 12 July 1971 to establish the United Arab Emirate (UAE) between the Rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai
• The discussions among other Sheikhdoms about whether to join; the persuasion brought to bear by the Political Agent in Dubai J F Walker; and the reluctance of the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi
• The agreement, on 18 July, by the Rulers of Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain to join in with the Abu Dhabi-Dubai deal; and acceptance of it as a temporary constitution for the United Arab Emirates
• The discussions over how to distribute portfolios among the Sheikhdoms
• The opposition to the deal of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and his demand for equal status with Abu Dhabi and Dubai with a veto power in the Supreme Council
• The unsuccessful efforts of the Rulers and Walker to persuade the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah to join
• A note for cabinet on 22 July
• The congratulations of the Foreign secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home, and a reply by the Ruler of Dubai
• The congratulations of the Home Secretary Reginald Maudling
• The reaction of the US State Department
• The record of a meeting between Sir W H T Luce and Iranian ambassador Amir Khosrow Afshar
• Regional reaction from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Yemen, including press comment from BBC Monitoring
• British press reaction between 19 and 23 July 1971
• The diplomatic effort to explain the union mounted by Suwaidi, Tajir, Pachachi, and Ahmad Obaidly, with visits to London, Cairo and Iran
• HMG's wish to develop military arrangements, the establishment of a Ministry of Defence for the Union and a continuing role for the Trucial Oman Scouts
• The proposal to establish a military liaison office and whether or not this should be in Sharjah
• The proposed appointment of General Sir John Willoughby as military advisor to the Union; and a proposed role for Major D S Cosgrove.

The file also contains correspondence on:

• Bahrain's preparations for independence and preparation for UN entry
• The importance of Saudi support for Bahrain's independence plans
• The visit to Saudi Arabia of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and their meeting there with King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan
• The visit to Kuwait of Sheikh Mohammad
• The visit of Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to Saudi Arabia
• The possibility of establishing a Bahrainian embassy in the US.