Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

197. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, December 13, 1955—6:57 p.m.

3315. For Ambassador from Secretary. Embtel 2339.² Please convey to Macmillan following message from me:

“Winthrop has sent me your message of December 7³ indicating you are prepared discuss Buraimi as one of problems at January Washington meeting, but do not plan any action before that time. I welcome your suggestion but am concerned lest the pace of developments on the issue may make earlier action desirable.

“Since our talks in London and my message of December 5, Under Secretary Hoover has had further discussions with Saudi Arabian representatives. They are continuing to prepare their case for early submission to the Security Council but do not plan this step until efforts to resume arbitration with neutral observers have been exhausted. They confirm information we have received from other sources of heavy pressures on King Saud for more vigorous action. The King returns to Saudi Arabia December 12.

“The Saudi Arabians are willing to replace Sheikh Yusuf Yassin on the tribunal if this would help.

“Saudi Counsel advises us that if the case goes to SC, they will ask Council to call for resumption arbitration under UN auspices. Whether this request is ultimately endorsed or not, I can see advantages to be gained in anticipating and avoiding UN action by bilateral resumption. We recognize difficulties of conducting arbitration in area, but believe, though imperfect, this is best solution.

“I hope you will agree that Saudi attitude holds promise and that you will see your way clear to resume arbitration. I will appreciate your earnest consideration of this and earlier approaches.”

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.4111/12–755. Confidential. Repeated to Jidda. Drafted by Rountree and Newsom and approved and signed by Dulles. In telegram 2461, December 14, Walworth Barbour informed the Department that telegram 3315 arrived after Macmillan’s departure for the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council held in Paris, December 15–17. Barbour noted that he was forwarding the message to Sir Ivone A. Kirkpatrick, Permanent Under–Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and a copy to Evelyn Shuckburgh, an Assistant Under–Secretary of State. (Ibid., 780.022/12–1455)
2. In telegram 2339, December 7, Aldrich reported the substance of his December 7 conversation with Macmillan. According to Aldrich, the Foreign Secretary discussed his views on the proposed Anglo–American talks to be held in Washington in January and February 1956. In response to a question from Aldrich, Macmillan confirmed his readiness to discuss the Buraimi question in Washington. The Foreign Secretary implied, however, that it was unlikely that he would take any action before that time. (Ibid., 033.4111/12–755) On December 17, in a luncheon meeting with Dulles in Paris, Macmillan, in the course of a review of the situation in the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf, noted that if the United Kingdom had not acted in the Buraimi matter, it would have lost its influence in the entire Gulf area. Dulles replied that the “assets” of the West in the Middle East included the U.S. position in Saudi Arabia. These assets, the Secretary concluded, must be “balanced” against those of the United Kingdom. (Secto 9 from London, December 17; ibid., Conference Files: Lot 60 D 627, CF 643)
3. In telegram 2345, December 7, the Embassy in London repeated Macmillan’s views on Buraimi contained in telegram 2339. The Embassy also reported the substance of a discussion on Buraimi with working level Foreign Office officials. (Ibid., Central Files, 033.4111/12–755)