Bahrain: political situation

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

• Letters from the Bahrain Youths Union; and ‘The People of Bahrain’ claiming that the HEC does not represent the views of the people of Bahrain
• The Bahrain government gazette numbers 109, 110 and 112-115
• A report on the meeting held 22 June 1955 in memory of those killed at the Thu Al Qada Fort one year previous, including a speech by Secretary of the HEC, Abdul Rahman Al Bakr
• Plans for taxi drivers to stage a strike
• The Government Committee’s report on public security and the Advisor’s comments; and the HEC’s criticism of the Committee due to its lack of representation
• Allegations of correspondence between King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Al Bakr
• Intelligence regarding Mahmud Al Mardi and his links to the HEC
• Notices regarding the observation of the Muharram holiday
• HEC’s bulletin number 25, including the suspension of activities during part of the month of Muharram, the rejection of any law which has not come from the people, and the departure of students to study in Egypt
• A visit of Al Bakr to the Political Residency and his stance that an anti-British rhetoric is not the best method
• A manifesto from the Front of the National Struggle, imploring people to rise up against imperialism
• HEC’s bulletin number 26, including the demand for an elected legislative council
• A circular from the Front of the National Struggle, including allegations of a ‘conspiracy’ by the Director of Education Ahmad Al Omran
• A circular by HEC against violence
• An attempt on Al Bakr’s life by Mohammad Saleh Juhara of the Muslim Brotherhood
• A number of demands submitted to the Ruler [not enclosed] by a long list of people, and signed with thumbprints [enclosed]
• Negotiations between HEC and the Ruler and the Ruler’s alleged claims that it is the British who are obstructing reforms.