Editor:
A. Burdett
Published: 1997 Paper: Printed on acid free paper Binding: Library bindings with gilt finish. Front cover carries the Emirati crest.
RESUMÉIn these 3000 pages Archive Editions presents a comprehensive collection of facsimile original British Government documents detailing the history of the Emirates between 1961 and 1965. The intention of this collection was to compile all the pages relating to the history and development of the Emirates for this period, therefore the key events are covered in greater detail than in the collection for 1820–1960. They include: inter-emirate boundary questions which were increasingly disputed as the position of oil deposits became clearer; OPEC were involved when Sheikh Shakbut of Abu Dhabi refused to sign the 50-50 agreement; the relocation of Ras-al Khaimah, which was being submerged, was addressed with funds from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi; in 1964 the Arab League Mission visited as did the Arab League Gulf Committee in 1965 and caused a flurry of diplomatic activity on the part of the British who wished to remain central to the foreign policy of the Emirates; and Iran was involved in a dispute over territorial waters with Ajman fishermen operating out of Kuwait.
DOCUMENTARY IMPORTANCE
Understanding the Series The three Records of the Emirates titles combine to create a large collection which provides facsimile copies of the key documents reflecting the developments of the United Arab Emirates from 1820 to modern times. The collections offer historical evidence for the political, economic and social evolution of the seven Emirates. Up to 1947 material is drawn extensively from the India Office Collection of the British Library. After 1947 archival material on the Emirates is drawn largely from the Public Records Office in London, in particular its Embassy and Consular archives and its Foreign Office archives. These documents continue the economic story through oil concession negotiations; prospecting rights and surveys and the first oil strike in Abu Dhabi in 1958. They include internal and external frontier negotiations and questions of island sovereignty, constitutional and military developments; the Trucial States Council and the Trucial Oman Levies, municipal development, banking, medicine, and air travel all up to 1965. In the years up to 1966–1971 the new subject of the unification of the Emirates arises and the process is covered in detail. Such records complete the historical background to the extraordinary evolution of the Emirates, from desert subsistence economies to modern city states.
CONTENTS OUTLINE
Highlights from the contents
1961
Dubai: plans for bridge over the creek
New runway at Sharjah airfield
The De Ribbing mission to Buraimi
Abu Dhabi town planning
Boundary agreements with Muscat
Iranian claims to the Tunbs
Sharjah oil concession
1962
Problems with rule of Shaikh Shakbut
Possible succession of Shaikh Zaid
Opening of new banks in Abu Dhabi
Frontier issues between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah
New oil and mineral surveys and concessions
1963
Correspondence regarding prospect of federation
Abu Dhabi causeway scheme and building projects
Postal services for Ajman, Fujairah, Ras-al-Khaimah, and Umm-al-Qawain
Ras-al-Khaimah development projects
Administration of Abu Dhabi and Dubai Police
Oil developments in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm-al-Qawain, Ras-al-Khaimah
1964
Shaikh Shakbut, Ruler of Abu Dhabi: discussions within British Government regarding replacing him with Shaikh Zayed
