KUWAIT AND BRITAIN

A HISTORIC FRIENDSHIP

Prepared By
The Centre For Research and Studies on Kuwait

Kuwait- 2007
Images References:
* Al-Hijji, Yacoub. Old Kuwait: Memories, in Photographs, Centre for Research and Studies on Kuwait,
2004.
* Ali Rai's Collection, Ministry of Information Archive, Kuwait News Agency Archives.
* Facey, William and Gillian Grant. Kuwait by the First Photographers, London,1998.
* Facey, William. Kuwait and Britain: Two Centuries of Friendship, British Council, Kuwait, 1995.
* Fraster, Lovat. India Under Curzon and After, London, 1911.
* Slot, B J. The Origins of Kuwait, Kuwait, 1998.
 Preface

Just rule and loyalty to faithful friends were the heritage left by
Sheikh Jaber al-Sabah (The third ruler of Kuwait) to his
successor, Sabah, as said by the British Resident in the Gulf,
Lewis Pelly, who visited Kuwait in 1863 and 1865.
That testament had its impact on the regime stability on this
good earth which led to flourish and develop Kuwait while
other states round region have deviated from justice, resulting
in deteriorated living and economic status.
Historic friendship which has linked Kuwait and the UK was a
model of the relations that continue politically and culturally till
today.
The Centre for Research and Studies on Kuwait (CRSK) has the
pleasure to publish this booklet to document this relation on the
occasion of HH Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah's visit
to the UK after having the reins of power in the State of
Kuwait; this visit crowns these relations and emphasizes its
continuation between the two friendly countries.

Prof Abdullah Y alGhunaim

CRSK Chairman 3
Preamble:

Kuwait's recorded relation with Britain

started in mid 1775 when the British mail
route from India to Aleppo via the Gulf was
unloaded at Kuwait instead of Zubair and
Basra.

This desert route was of particular importance

to the British East India Company not only
for forwarding mail to and from India, but
also serving wide commercial purposes.

Kuwait seems to have offered a solution to the

difficulties of the British East India Company
in transporting and marketing Indian goods in
Syria, the Middle East and European
countries.

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 A British sailing ship A Kuwaiti sailing ship

Maritime skill and naval interest are of the most vital mutual characteristics of the Kuwaiti and British people
In July 1776, Mr Latouche, the British Eastern
India Company agent in Basra, asked
Lieutenant Twiss, captain of the ship 'Terrible'
to follow up mail there, and take measures to
regulate and organize it.
In November 1777, Kuwait was visited by the
British Company's ship the 'Eagle.' Its crew
reported that Kuwait harbour was suitable for
anchorage. The report continued that it was
walled and received the caravans which
enjoyed security.
In the Early 1970s difficulties with the
Ottoman officials compelled Samuel Manesty
and the staff of the British Factory at Basra to
move into Kuwait in April 1793 and
established themselves there until August
1795. Their selection of Kuwait as a place of
refuge for their Factory implies that it cannot
have been in any way an Ottoman dependency.

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 Before the British Trading
Agency moved from Basra in
1793, Kuwait was an important
trading centre as clearly
mentioned in the Dutch reports.

The diary of the History of

Medicine of the British surgeon
Piggott, kept in Wellcome
Library in London (No 3906),
shows that some caravans which
departed from Kuwait (Qurain)
to Aleppo in 1758 consisted of
5000 camels and 1000 men.
(The Origins of Kuwait, Slot, p 136).

A photo of Frans Canter letter, the senior secretary of

the Dutch East Indian Company at Basra. The letter
was written in Kuwait and was mailed to one of his
relatives in Aleppo.
The reports revealed that Sheikh Abdullah
al-Sabah, the then ruler of Kuwait, was on
good terms with the British and it is also
reported that the Sheikh received them with
great hospitality on their arrival at Kuwait and
during their residence. In return, the British
Agency shared in flourishing Kuwait's
business, and its economic development. The
chairman of the British Factory had not only
good relations with Kuwait's Sheikh but it also
extended to many Kuwaiti merchants whose
vessels the Factory sometimes used to
transport the Company's mail into India in
order to evade the French fleet which got in the
way of the British ships during the last decade
of the eighteenth century.

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An old cannon on the coast of Kuwait City, photographed by Allen Villiers in 1939
The British Factory also played a prominent
part in defending Kuwait against its neighbours’
raids during that period. Brydges, the second
Factory man in Kuwait, mentioned that
Kuwaitis' bravery alone defended their
country, and trusts in their sober Sheikh
Abdullah Bin Sabah, as well, whom they
considered their father not their ruler. It is
worthy of note that the Factory assistance had
its impact in repulsing the attacks. Manesty
brought to Kuwait, from a British cruiser, two
cannons and the attackers also suffered
disastrous casualties from that battleship fire.
Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah asserted those
events. He stated that the cannons the British
supplied his grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, still
existed during his reign (a message from the
newsagent in Kuwait on 6th September, 1899).

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A photo, dated 23 April 1841, of
the agreement signed by Sheikh
Sabah Bin Jaber on behalf of his
father Sheikh Jaber Bin Abdulla
al-Sabah in which he committed
himself to spread security and
fight piracy in the Gulf.
The First Agreement Between Britain and Kuwait (1841)

Good relations between Kuwait and Britain continued even after reestablishing the factory at
Basra during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. Although Kuwait did not sign the
January Agreement of 1820, which tried to regulate relations between the sheikhdoms of
Oman coasts, Kuwait-British relations and personal interrelations between Kuwait's ruler and
the Factory staff in the Gulf were still on good terms.
One of the important events at that time was the relocation of the British Factory for a second
time from Basra to Kuwait from 15 December 1921 till April 1922.
The British selection of Kuwait instead of any other Gulf capital shows that Kuwait enjoys a
good political and commercial reputation since that selection followed the Agreement of 8
January 1820 (Trucial States) from which Kuwait abstained from endorsing.
In 1839, and due to the Turkish -Egyptian danger in the Gulf, Captain Hill and his assistant
Edmonds tried to officially be bound with the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber, whom they
considered a good friend of the British Government.
When the struggle between Iran, the Ottoman State and the British authorities affected the
maritime activity and pearl diving, Kuwait decided to sign the Naval Agreement which Britain
called the countries of the region to join for security, stability and in protection of ship owners
from the dangers that resulted from such conflict.
That agreement was signed by Sheikh Sabah Bin Jaber on behalf of his father in April 1841.

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A rare text of Lewis Pelly about Kuwaiti Emirs and
their rule philosophy, which emphasized adherence
to friendship and justice to spread prosperity in their
country.

Lewis Pelly
Lewis Pelly Visited Kuwait

Kuwait received a number of British officials during the reign of Sheiks Jaber and Sabah which
marked good relations between Kuwait and Britain. Colonel Lewis Pelly, the British Political
Resident in the Gulf, visited Kuwait in the 1860s. On his first visit on 4 March 1863, he spent
three days followed by a second visit on his way to Riyadh on 18 February 1865 for three
weeks. He met its ruler, Sheikh Sabah Bin Jaber. Pelly narrates what Sheikh Sabah informed
him how he managed Kuwait affairs, the political, psychological, and personal characteristics of
its ruler, and the political wisdom and cleverness he inherited from his father. He said:
"When my father was nearly 120 years old, remarked the Sheikh to me, he called me
and said, 'Soon I shall die. I have made no fortune, and can leave you no money; but I
have made many true friends, grapple them. While other states round the Gulf have
fallen off from injustice or ill-government, mine has gone on increasing. Hold to my
policy, and though you are surrounded by a desert, and passed on by a once hostile
and still wandering set of tribes, you will flourish."
Pelly commented on Kuwait's ruler speech, saying:
"Thus a group of naval tribes could establish a stable secure country under the fostering
care of a succession of common-sense rulers and by means of a policy wisely originated
and systematically pursued, that an Arab tribe was promoted to masters of a thriving
port, which was a refuge for the oppressed, and a peaceful home to all."
"I confess I looked round with something like amazement at finding such a political
and commercial structure in such a region, and the work of such hands."
Pelly introduced a good image about Kuwait's population, its economic activities, and its
importance as a gate of the Arab desert through which one could accomplish all needed
communications with the political powers inside the Arabian Peninsula.

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Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah , 1896 - 1915
British-Kuwait Agreement,
January 1899

In the last decade of the nineteenth century,

Britain was highly interested in the northern
areas of the Gulf, besides other European
countries, especially Germany, drew the
Ottoman State's attention due to Kuwait strategic
location to build up the Berlin-Baghdad railway
which would extend to Kazima in Kuwait.
The Ottoman State began to interfere in
Kuwait's affairs, and create an influence on its
territory. Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah tried to
protect himself and evade the Ottoman
administration in Basra. The intrigues of Basra
rulers, and their direct and indirect ways to
have a foothold in Kuwait, forced him to
communicate with the British Political
Resident in the Gulf in February 1897.

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A photo of the Anglo-Kuwait Agreement of 1899
He informed him that he looked forward to
the British support against the Ottoman
interference. At first, the British hesitated for
fear of arousing the Ottoman State.
After the British had been convinced that
Kuwait was not under Ottoman suzerainty or
sovereignty, and for fear of Ottoman pressure
on Kuwait to cede a part of its land to Germany
to build Berlin-Baghdad railway, Colonel
Mead, the British Resident in the Gulf, visited
Kuwait and negotiated with Sheikh Mubarak,
about various issues, the most important was
Kuwait relation with the Ottoman State. On 23
January 1899, an agreement was concluded.
The agreement stated that the Sheikh of
Kuwait, acting on his own accord and at his
own discretion, pledges that he would forever
refuse an agent on his territories from any state
or government without the consent of the
British Government and would not mandate,
lease, mortgage or dispose any part of his
territories without its consent.
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Exchanged messages between Colonel Percy Cox and Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah in
which the latter vowed not to offer any oil concession without the consent of the
British Government (October, 1913)
This agreement may be classified as an
agreement for the "exchange of benefits (quid
pro quo)." In other words, it does not fall
under the category of arbitrary agreements,
which are concluded for the benefit of one
party at the expense of the other. It would be,
thus, difficult to say that it was a "Protectorate
Agreement" in the traditional sense of
agreements concluded during these days.
Both Britain and Kuwait gave a thing in return
for something else:
* Britain got guarantees and exceptions for its
interests and Sheikh Mubarak agreed to have a
British agent in Kuwait.
* Kuwait was satisfied that Britain would
support it against the influence of the Ottoman
State and its attempts to interfere in its affairs,
and Sheikh Mubarak would obtain the weapons
he needed to use against his enemies.

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Lord Curzon and his spouse
Lord Curzon Visit to Kuwait

Lord Curzon, the King's viceroy in India, toured

the Gulf states during the autumn of 1903, which
was a clear indication of the new policy of Britain
in the area and asserted the distinguished historic
relations between Britain and Kuwait.
Curzon and his spouse arrived at Kuwait on 28
November 1903 on the ship Harding to find the
whole British fleet waiting for him. Sheikh
Mubarak al-Sabah went aboard of the ship
accompanied by Colonel Kembal, the British
Resident in the Gulf, to welcome the guest. On
the next morning, Lord Curzon landed at
al-Shuwaikh where Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah
and his son Jaber al-Mubarak, his heir were
waiting him. Lord Curzon rode a luxurious cart
Sheikh Mubarak ordered from Mombay for
this occasion.

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Two hundred horsemen with their Arab horses, twenty men with their quick white camel
corps, and about 400 fighters armed with British Martini rifles beside a great tribal crowd,
received Lord Curzon and his spouse. Kuwait's lanes and roads were a spokesman who
tout-â-fait illustrated the image of people who knew how to welcome their guests.
The reception cast a soft shadow on the guests
who were very pleased according to Curzon
reports, the articles of The Times and in Lord
Curzon's spouse account included in her book
The Trip Tales, published in New York in
1923.
That visit realized some urgent demands.
Sheikh Mubarak could define and delineate his
northern borders. Kuwait, also, acquired a
strong reliable friend who would adopt
Kuwait's point of view. That visit also
emphasized Kuwait prestige in the region and
the Ottoman State put into consideration
Kuwait's Sheikh.
Mubarak's relation with Lord Curzon
continued even after his retirement. Sheikh
Mubarak consoled him on his spouse demise.

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British troops in Kuwait in April 1928
Relations after Mubarak

Well established relations continued between

the two countries after Mubarak's era. His
successors kept all the agreements he signed
with them. Britain presented numerous
overtures to Kuwait in health, communication,
and postal services as well as military support
to defend Kuwait when facing danger as had
taken place in 1920 and 1928.

In the 1930s, the late Sheikh Ahmed al-Jaber

al-Sabah signed a concession with Kuwait Oil
Company -a British company- to drill for oil,
refine and export it. Drilling for oil halted
during WWII. The first oil cargo was shipped
to Britain on 30 June 1946. Therefore both
parties benefited:

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The Late Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah after receiving the India medal
standing between Sir Jeffery Prior and commodore Hanson, the commander of the naval forces
in the Gulf, and Lewis Pelly, the British Political Resident in Kuwait
Britain secured a source of energy for its
requirements and Kuwait guaranteed a new era
of progress and prosperity.

It is worthy of note that the late Sheikh Ahmad

al-Jaber was the first Kuwaiti official who
visited Britain. After the allies victory in WWI,
the late Sheikh Salem al-Mubarak delegated
his crown prince Sheikh Ahmad to
congratulate King George V. Sheikh Ahmad
al-Jaber met King George V on 30 October
1919 offering him three presents: an Arab
gold-plated dagger, a historic sword and an
Arab horse.

Sheikh Ahmad toured Britain where he visited

its landmarks. On 15 May 1935, he revisited
Britain after he had taken the reins of power.

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HH the late Sheikh Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah with Mr James Callahan
the former British Prime Minister
During the 1950s, Kuwait benefited from the
British experience to modernize the state.
Kuwait sent students and delegates to Britain to
specialize in many fields.

In 1955, the late Sheikh Sabah al-Salem visited

Britain during his post as police director. For
seven days he visited the Foreign
Administration in the Ministry of Interior,
Scotland Yard, Police training schools, map
section, information and fingerprint section,
and other police sections.

This visit helped the late Sheikh Sabah to adopt

many procedures which developed the police
agency in Kuwait.

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HH Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah and the British Political Resident of Her Majesty in the
Gulf, Sir William Loss, signing independence document between the Kuwaiti Government and
its counterpart, the British Government
The Independence of Kuwait, 19 June, 1961

Kuwait independence represents an understanding between the United Kingdom (UK) and
Kuwait, opposite to many countries that had relations with Britain. According to national,
regional, and international aspects, Kuwait independence was a must and Britain accepted. On
19 June 1961, independence was announced in both London and Kuwait. The Emir of Kuwait,
Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem and the British Political Resident of Her Majesty in the Gulf, Sir
William Los, exchanged letters to end the 1899 Agreement, declaring Kuwait's independence,
continuation of friendly relations between the two parties and British government readiness to
help its counterpart, the Kuwaiti government.
In July, immediately after Kuwait's independence, Abdulkareem Qasim, the ruler of Iraq,
aroused the whole world when he threatened to occupy Kuwait. Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem
issued a statement asserting that Kuwait is an independent Arab sovereign state, and that "the
Kuwaiti people are determined to defend their country, and the he is convinced that the Arab
States and other friendly peace loving states will support Kuwait to preserve its independence."
Britain hurried to protect Kuwait and face aggression; its forces resided in Kuwait till 10
October when they were substituted by Arab forces called by the Arab League. They resided in
Kuwait till the fall of that Iraqi regime.

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The Meeting between the late Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II, Queen of the UK, during her visit to Kuwait in 1979.
In continuation of good relations between Kuwait and Britain , HH the late Emir of Kuwait
Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah invited Queen Elizabeth of the UK to visit Kuwait on 12 May
1979. It was the Queen's first visit to Kuwait. She was accompanied by her husband Duke of
Edinburgh. On her itinerary, she visited al-Seef Palace, Ahmadi City, the exhibition of Kuwait
Oil Company (KOC), and attended the popular ceremony prepared for her visit to Kuwait. HH
the Emir held a dinner in her honour, and exchanged medals. On the third day she left Kuwait
after a cordial reception which shows the deep relation between the two countries that spans
200 years.

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HH the Father Emir Sheikh Sa'ad al-Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah in his
meeting with Baronet Margaret Thatcher in her visit to Kuwait in 1991
The Kuwaitis will never forget the great role played by Britain in liberating Kuwait from the
Iraqi occupation of August 1990. Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister, played a vital
role to foment the world powers to denounce and deter the aggressor. The British military
troops were the third in number after the American and the Saudi troops. Indeed it was the first
British troops deployment after WWII.
British companies and foundations participated in Kuwait's reconstruction after its liberation.
Reconstruction included the repair of roads, bridges, water and energy networks and
participating in the extinguishing of oil wells and elimination of landmines.
HH the Emir visited the UK on 2 October 1991, after Kuwait's liberation, where he met with a
number of British politicians to show Kuwait's appreciation and gratitude for the British
comprehensive and effective participation in liberating Kuwait. HH urged them to exert their
efforts to obtain the release of Kuwaiti prisoners and third party detainees in the Iraqi jails
during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.
On an invitation of HH Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad, Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister
arrived at Kuwait on 23 November 1991. That invitation was extended as an appreciation and
honour for the vital role the UK played in forming the international coalition against Saddam
Hussein who stunned the world by invading Kuwait on 2 August, 1990.

37
The late Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber in company of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the
Queen of Britain (May, 1995)
Because of the late Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad
al-Sabah interest in the Gulf area stability, the
necessity of Iraq's compliance with the
international will and the execution of all
Security Council resolutions related to the Iraqi
aggression against Kuwait, HH paid a second
visit to the British capital on 24 May 1995. He
was highly welcomed by Her Majesty the
Queen, and the then Prime Minister, John
Major. The discussions run in the British
Government headquarters dealt with bilateral
relations, the security status in the Gulf, and the
importance of stability there. HE John Major
stated that the Emir visit incarnated strong
friendly relations between Britain and its oldest
ally in the Gulf.

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Of the Emir speeches during this meeting:
“I would like to express Kuwait's people
gratitude and appreciation to the British People
for their noble and firm attitude during the
despot aggression against our land which
Kuwait's people would never forget.”

HH the late Emir with Mr John Major the former

41
UK Prime Minister
HH the Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah with Mr Tony Blair,
the British Prime Minister
Those visits contributed to cementing the British relations. They coped with different political
circumstances; participated in education, commerce, defence, development, training and
exchanging experience in managing economy; paid attention to the English language, which is
the second language in Kuwait and helped many Kuwaitis to visit Britain for business,
education, medical treatment, and tourism.

****

HH Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, during his former career as a Minister of
Foreign Affairs, and later a Prime Minister, had many friendly relations with key British
personnel especially ministers of foreign affairs. Those relations extended for four decades.
There was coordination in attitudes and stances; understanding in the mutual issues, and hard
work to realize security and stability in the region.

HH Sheikh Sabah present visit, after he has taken the reins of power in Kuwait, indicates the
importance of mutual relations and emphasizes its continuation in a way to serve the two
countries' interests in particular and the Gulf and Arab ones in general.

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