Hansard

Abu Musa

Volume 827: debated on Friday 3 December 1971

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Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the terms of the agreement reached between the Ruler of Sharjah and the Iranian Government through the good offices of Her Majesty's Government, over future arrangements in respect of the Island of Abu Musa.

Mr. Godber

The texts of the documents incorporating the agreement have not been published, but the following is an extract from a statement made by the Ruler of Sharjah on 29th November setting out the terms of the agreement.EXTRACT FROM TRANSLATION OF STATEMENT MADE BY THE RULER OF SHARJAH ON 29TH NOVEMBERWe have agreed with the Imperial Government of Iran, with respect to Abu Masu Island, on the following:

  • 1. This arrangement does not affect Sharjah's view of her sovereignty over Abu Musa. The Sharjah flag will continue to fly over the Sharjah Police post, Sharjah's police and administration will continue in the remainder of the island, and the civil population there will continue to be under the jurisdiction of Sharjah.
  • 2. Exploitation of the Petroleum resources of Abu Musa and its twelve mile waters will be carried out by Buttes Gas and Oil Company. Any revenues from the exploitation of the petroleum resources of this area will be divided equally between Sharjah and Iran.
  • 3. Iranian troops shall arrive in an agreed area on the island of Abu Musa.
  • 4. An aid agreement has been signed between Sharjah and Iran. Under it, £1,500,000 annually for a period of nine years will be paid directly to the Government of Sharjah and will be expended by Sharjah for public purposes. This payment will cease when Sharjah's revenues from oil discovered in the Abu Musa area reach a rate of £3,000,000 per year.