Office of the Historian

199. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State (Hoover) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, December 20, 1955.

CONVERSATION WITH AMBASSADOR MAKINS ON SAUDI ARABIAN SITUATION

Ambassador Makins called on me this morning to review some of the Middle East problems in anticipation of Shuckburgh’s proposed trip to Washington and the visit of Sir Anthony Eden with [Page 304] the President.2 Mr. Allen and Mr. Elbrick were present, together with several members of the British Embassy staff.

After touching on a number of other points, Sir Roger stated that the UK had grave concern over Saudi Arabian bribery … in surrounding Arab countries. He gave me copies of some of the documents which had been captured in Buraimi when the British occupied the area. He also referred to Kirkpatrick’s outline of HMG views to Barbour (London’s No. 2474, December 15, copy attached).3

I stated to Sir Roger that we shared British apprehensions …. We had for many years enjoyed close relationships with the Saudis, … But … since the inception of the Buraimi disagreement, our relations had drifted further apart. I pointed out that the Saudis lived a feudal existence that was in many ways almost medieval in nature.

The only chance of increasing our influence and of modifying some of their policies was to re–establish closer and more friendly relations. The Saudis were never able to understand that the US and the UK did not work in close harmony and concert. Therefore, if the UK discontinued arbitration and moved into Buraimi with force, and at the same time conducted a campaign in the Trucial States, Muscat and Oman, the Saudis naturally became highly suspicious of our own motives.

The Soviets, of course, were just as aware as we were of what was going on, and were making every effort to exploit the situation. Unless this matter could be peacefully resolved, our information indicated a considerable risk of the Saudis turning to the Soviets for support, instead of to us. As the British knew, if an agreement to resume arbitration could not be reached soon, the Saudis would take the matter to the Security Council. The Soviets would give them active support, whereas the best we could probably do would be to abstain. It was not a very inviting prospect.

Sir Roger promised to convey our views to London.

H.
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 786A.00/12–2055. Secret.↩
  2. Dulles and Macmillan agreed in Paris that Evelyn Shuckburgh would come to Washington in January for discussions on the Middle East in preparation for Eden’s visit to Washington in February. (Sectos 6 and 9 from Paris, December 16 and 17. The former is ibid., 740.5/12–1655; the latter is cited in footnote 2, Document 197.)↩
  3. Document 146.↩