France’s policy towards the Arabian Gulf and Britain’s position on it (1962-1974): Study in the light of British documents

Abstract

Objectives: The study addressed France’s policy towards the Arabian Gulf and Britain’s position on it 1962-1974 in the light of British documents, and aimed at clarifying the motives of the French orientation towards the Gulf at that important stage in the history of the Gulf, after Britain began to withdraw from the Region, and how France managed to get rid of obstacles hindered development of relations with the Gulf states, and Britain’s position regarding this activity, besides its impact on relations between the two countries. Method: The study used both descriptive and analytical historical approaches where information was collected from documents and analyzed maintaining their chronology. The study first explained the historical roots of the French presence in the Arabian Gulf, then explained the reasons for the deterioration of French-Arab relations, the French efforts to get closer to the Gulf countries, the manifestations of French activity in the Gulf and Britain’s position on it, and France’s exploitation of the British withdrawal from the Gulf to strengthen its presence in the region. Results: The study reached several results the most important of which were that “De Gaulle” assuming power was a watershed point in the French-Gulf relations, and that, though withdrew from the Gulf, Britain was concerned of being replaced by France, and take away the economic advantages in the region. And then there was a hidden conflict between the two countries in the Gulf region, especially in the economic and military fields. Conclusion: The study showed the obstacles stood in the way of the development of French-Gulf relations, the impact of the British role on the relations between the two sides, France’s efforts to regain its presence in the Gulf, and how, thanks to its relations with the Gulf states, it was able to quickly get out of the oil crisis after the nationalization of Algerian oil in 1971 AD, and the French economy rebounded due to arms sales to the Region.