Foreign AffairsWritten evidence from Raymond Weaver

Summary

Raymond Weaver.

Resident in Bahrain 1956—1982.

Head Operator in Power Plant for Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).

Head Operator for Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA).

Organiser of Awali Reunion meetings.

Member of Institute of Royal Engineers.

Member of the Bahrain Society.

Introduction

Raymond Weaver arrived on Bahrain in 1956; his family joined him in 1958.

Experience in Bahrain

My work in BAPCO was in Power and Utilities Department (P&U) as a Shift Engineer.

The Policy was that we should train Bahrainis to take over that position. This was achieved after 8 years.

My next post was with the aluminium smelter (ALBA), again in the Power Plant.

I then returned to BAPCO and to P & U, mainly writing JIT (Job Instruction Training) manuals.

Both my children were educated in a mixed community school in Awali (the Oil Company’s town), and at St Christopher’s School in Manama the capital of Bahrain.

Bahrain began the education of girls in 1928 and they then came out into the community, empowered to take on almost any task. Four Bahraini women are members of the Government.

Many Bahrainis come to the UK for further education.

Conclusion

Bahrain was a British Protectorate under the UK government until 1970, when it became independent.

Bahrain has always had close cultural links with the UK, many people speaking excellent English.

I have many Bahraini friends and acquaintances, and have always found them to be both hospitable and friendly, but have no idea whether they shia or sunni.

Bahrain has always shown religious tolerance, allowing all faiths to practice their religions.

It is essential that the UK maintains a good relationship with Bahrain, due to its strategic location in the Gulf.

13 November 2012