ABSTRACT

At the beginning of 1969 the proposed union of nine Gulf States, the seven Trucial States, Qatar and Bahrain, still appeared to offer the best hope for the future of the British-protected shaikhdoms. However, meetings of the UAE Council were postponed, initially moved from January to February. Then, Bahrain insisted on further postponement until after the Haj and the Eid Al Adha. Hence, the next meeting of the Provisional Council was scheduled for March. Adviser to the Qatari government Dr Kamal was distressed by the delay and told the Political Agent in Doha that he hoped the practice of indefinite dates ‘and even vaguer meeting places’ would end: that all of the shaikhdoms would accept an organized calendar and a disciplined program. 1