Abstract

Abstract

The British Withdrawal from the Arab Gulf 1968 – 1971
The Gulf area enjoys apolitical, strategic and economic importance which is considered a cause to attract foreign powers to control it through long centuries till today. Britain was one of these powers that worked to deep root their authority in the area and remove their competitors till it was able by the end of the World War I (1914-1918) to stay alone in the area to impose its control over it. Thus the British where the real rulers of the area throughout a century and a half. They where controlling the affairs most Gulf Princedoms by a special a administration system related to the Indo-British government. However the British decision about the military withdrawal from the Arab Gulf in 16 January, 1968, shocked the rulers who tried to divert the British government decision, since Britain was living her latest days and due to other reasons, it was finally obliged to limit its military forces in the Gulf especially after it had lost India in 1947 which was the pearl of the British crown.
The positive aspect that we can notice after the departure of the British from the Arab Gulf is the rise of the United Arab Emirates from seven sheikdoms and Qatar and Bahrain’s independence after failing to persuade them to join the union which became hexagon later on after it was planned to be of nine sheikdoms. Besides, the Shah of Iran’s decision to respect the decision of the Bahrain’s people led to the interference of the United Nations to help the Bahrainian to have an independent state far from any foreign interference.
As for the negative aspect of the British policy of retreat, it is represented in bringing the American power instead of the British and depending on Iran in playing the role of the Gulf policeman and the protector of Western welfares as well as imposing its control over the Gulf area. That was clear in the Iranian invasion of the three Arab islands just one day before the British withdrawal from the area which created a problem with the United Arab Emirates. This problem is still disputable up to the present time.
Moreover, the Gulf Arab states realized that Britain and the United States had paved the way for that direct invasion and showing that the Iranian military power is the only way to ensure security and settlement in the Arab Gulf area.
The other point related to the negative aspect is that when Britain and United States wanted to keep the security of the Arab Gulf, they forwarded the idea of territorial cooperation among the Gulf states on condition that it is manifested in a defence system and concentrating in this framework on the importance of the Iranian role in the Arab Gulf. That was also represented in the British encouragement to make an Iranian - Saudi coalition responsible for the task of protecting the Gulf area, but this project was soon faced with utter refusal by all the states in the area.