The sheikh-out
Sir: In his article on Aden (15 September) Mr D. C. Watt makes a somewhat unhappy and in- accurate reference to the Ruler of Bahrain, HH Shaikh Isa. He is in fact a young ruler, being in his early thirties, and many who know him would describe him as humane, progressive and enlightened.
The government of Bahrain has used 50 per cent of its oil revenue to develop a system of free education and health services. It is currently building a new town for people with low incomes, which will be a model for this type of social de- velopment in the Middle East.
With a population of under 200,000, Bahrain cannot afford an over-elaborate governmental system. However, 'there are elected municipal coun- cils and members are elected by these bodies to councils for health and education, which are being extended to other social departments and public utilities and services.
Maurice Chandler Michael Rice and Company, 39 Park Street, London WI
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