Internal political situation

This file relates to the conflict between the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Saeed Bin Taimur and the Imam of Oman Ghalib Al Hina'i. It contains correspondence on:

• The possible resumption of negotiations and discussion of British tactics and policy. It also discusses the idea of Hashim Jawad mediating negotiations and transferring them to Baghdad (42, 47, 53, 57-58)
• The Irish authorities' request for a copy of the Treaty of Sib [Seeb]. The Foreign Office provide a substantially accurate version published in the New York Times. It also includes historical background (44)
• Reference to a 1957 intelligence paper stating that the Imam had resigned and retired to his home. Proof of this is sought to bolster HMG's case at the UN. The Sultan cannot find evidence of this, but did find passport applications signed by Taleb Al Hina'i, Sheikh Saleh Bin Isa Al Harithi and a son of Sheikh Sulaiman Bin Himyar describing themselves as subjects of the Sultan (45)
• A cutting from the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts containing Taleb's statement to the Iraqi News Agency (46)
• A report in Al Ahram of an interview given by the Imam to the Daily Telegraph (50)
• A report in Al Akhbar that the Imam has told Taleb of a British request to resume discussions (51)
• Statements from the Imamate of Oman's office in Cairo regarding a new British method of punishing villages from which an attack is made on British forces; and an Omani delegation being sent to an anti-colonialist conference in Tunis (52)
• A report in Al Ahram that the Imam has made changes in organisation, including new positions for Sheikh Saleh, Sheikh Sulaiman and Taleb (54)
• The weekly report [enclosed] of the Local Intelligence Committee (Persian Gulf) for the period ending 1 February 1961. It reports on: the release, by the Sultan, of four rebel prisoners, including Ghalib and Taleb's brother; a mine explosion in Muscat and Oman; the cutting of field cables in Bahrain; and troop movements in Saudi Arabia (56)
• British newspaper cuttings [enclosed] commenting on the resumption of negotiations (60).