kristin
01-02-2007, 11:53 AM
New Light Shed on Britain's Refusal to Hand over Koh-i-Noor
(December 31, '06, 7:43 IDEX Online Staff Reporter)
Newly released confidential papers detailed Britain’s position with regards to Pakistan’s request, in the 1970s, to have the Koh-i-Noor diamond returned to their country, according to the Associated Press. The British position was made clear in these documents: It’s not going to happen.
At that time, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was Pakistan's prime minister. He wanted the diamond back but the British Foreign Office set out this position: "The stark facts are these: i) We have the Koh-i-Noor diamond, whether or not our possession of it is legally justified, ii) We have made it clear that we are keeping the diamond, adducing the best arguments to support our contention."
Bhutto disclosed his correspondence with Prime Minister James Callaghan about the diamond in 1976. The additional papers that were released on Friday shed even further light on the controversy.
The Koh-i-Noor, or "mountain of light," diamond, weighs 105.6 carats and is one of the world's most famous diamonds. It is now part of a crown made for the late Queen Mother Elizabeth.
The diamond's history is full of intrigue. The diamond was in the possession of Ahmad Shah, who founded the Durrani dynasty in Afghanistan in the 18th century. Then one of his descendants, Shah Shoja, was known to have the stone when he became a fugitive in India. Later, he was forced to hand it over to the Sikh ruler, Ranjit Singh.
Britain got its hands on the diamond after the annexation of Punjab. It then became part of the crown jewels. Originally, it weighed 191 carts, but it was re-cut in London in 1852.
In a letter dated August 13, 1976, Bhutto wrote that in light of the nation's upcoming independence, it brought to mind "Pakistan's historic grievances about the disposition of territories and assets to which we were entitled upon the termination of British rule in India."
The Associated Press reported that Bhutto wrote, handing over the diamond, "would be a convincing demonstration of the spirit that moved Britain voluntarily to shed its imperial encumbrances and lead the process of decolonization."
Diplomats advised Callaghan that Britain had "as good a legal title to the diamond as a treaty can give us," and that Pakistan was not the only potential claimant. The diamond remains in the hands of British royalty.
(December 31, '06, 7:43 IDEX Online Staff Reporter)
Newly released confidential papers detailed Britain’s position with regards to Pakistan’s request, in the 1970s, to have the Koh-i-Noor diamond returned to their country, according to the Associated Press. The British position was made clear in these documents: It’s not going to happen.
At that time, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was Pakistan's prime minister. He wanted the diamond back but the British Foreign Office set out this position: "The stark facts are these: i) We have the Koh-i-Noor diamond, whether or not our possession of it is legally justified, ii) We have made it clear that we are keeping the diamond, adducing the best arguments to support our contention."
Bhutto disclosed his correspondence with Prime Minister James Callaghan about the diamond in 1976. The additional papers that were released on Friday shed even further light on the controversy.
The Koh-i-Noor, or "mountain of light," diamond, weighs 105.6 carats and is one of the world's most famous diamonds. It is now part of a crown made for the late Queen Mother Elizabeth.
The diamond's history is full of intrigue. The diamond was in the possession of Ahmad Shah, who founded the Durrani dynasty in Afghanistan in the 18th century. Then one of his descendants, Shah Shoja, was known to have the stone when he became a fugitive in India. Later, he was forced to hand it over to the Sikh ruler, Ranjit Singh.
Britain got its hands on the diamond after the annexation of Punjab. It then became part of the crown jewels. Originally, it weighed 191 carts, but it was re-cut in London in 1852.
In a letter dated August 13, 1976, Bhutto wrote that in light of the nation's upcoming independence, it brought to mind "Pakistan's historic grievances about the disposition of territories and assets to which we were entitled upon the termination of British rule in India."
The Associated Press reported that Bhutto wrote, handing over the diamond, "would be a convincing demonstration of the spirit that moved Britain voluntarily to shed its imperial encumbrances and lead the process of decolonization."
Diplomats advised Callaghan that Britain had "as good a legal title to the diamond as a treaty can give us," and that Pakistan was not the only potential claimant. The diamond remains in the hands of British royalty.