150. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
728. Please pass following to Prime Minister from President:
“Dear Harold:
I share your satisfaction in knowing that the Trinidad discussions have been put into channels that should bring out all the important factors applying to the case.
We are, of course, sympathetic with your efforts to bring about a better understanding in the Mid East, particularly between King Saud and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. I assume that this is just the latest incident of the old Buraimi trouble and I hope that however the matter is settled, you will achieve a better and firmer relationship with King Saud himself. I cannot help but believe that if we handle things correctly, he will be our best counterbalance to Nasser’s influence in the region.
In this connection we have heard that disturbing rumors are current in London to the effect that the present troubles in the Sultan’s area have been brought about by the efforts of our major oil companies to damage the British oil possessions in that region. Certainly I do not have to assure you that such rumors are completely false. If we were willing to tolerate this kind of thing we would never have been so ready to do our best to help solve the oil problems that were generated for you by the Suez crisis of last fall. The reason that such rumors are disturbing, however, is that too [Page 231] great a readiness on our part to criticize each other for whatever troubles we may encounter in our dealings with other nations cannot possibly have anything but a harmful effect on our common problems in the world.
I do not suggest that there is anything you can do about this matter, but I call it to your attention merely as something that should be in my opinion of continued concern to us on both sides of the Atlantic.
I am quite certain that if you should address DePauw University next spring you and I can find a chance for an informal chat. I certainly would consider it a great privilege to have such an opportunity.
With warm regard,
As ever, D.E.”
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Top Secret. Drafted by the President and approved by Dulles.↩