In 1968, the British Government announced its plans to withdraw troops from "East of Suez" , leaving behind the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms, Bahrain and Qatar. After these plans were announced by the British Prime Minister Harold Wilson on 16 January 1968, attempts were made for the creation of a federation of Arab Emirates. In a summit with the Sheikhs of Qatar, Bahrain, and the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms, the declaration of union for a federation with nine rulers, proposed by the Qatari government, was approved. After multiple disputes, Qatar declared its independence on September 1, 1971, and became the second independent Gulf Sheikhdom, after Bahrain. Shortly after, on September 5, 1971, the United States recognized Qatar as an Independent State, beginning diplomatic relations on March 19, 1972.