890g.6363 T 84/169: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 14—1:17 p.m.]
424. My 393, September 24, 4 p.m. I had applied for interview recently with the Foreign Office regarding Turkish petroleum matter. It appears that the Foreign Office has had several conferences with Gulbenkian or his representative, obtaining his point of view in the differences between him and the groups, and after careful consideration is of the opinion that Gulbenkian’s contentions are founded on practical and legal grounds not to be disregarded. The policy of the Foreign Office is similar to that of the Department in that it will not intervene in business negotiations or disputes, but is ready to use all good offices in order to compose if possible differences between parties concerned. Foreign Office feels that recent offers of Turkish Petroleum Company to Gulbenkian are quite reasonable and hopes that latter will see his way clear to accepting them. On the other hand the intention of the Foreign Office is to urge the British group to use moderation and deal with Gulbenkian reasonably. It is hoped that the Department will correspondingly urge this attitude upon the American group.
I was again assured most emphatically that the British Government desires that United States nationals should have equal representation in the exploitation of the Mesopotamian oil fields and that the “working agreement” should become effective. Foreign Office understands clearly the Department’s view as to the consequences which might arise from the failure of the “working agreement” to be concluded.
Wellman tells me that while Gulbenkian has so far refused the offers of the Turkish Petroleum Company, negotiations are continuing and that there is hope of a settlement this week. The heads of the several groups, as well as Gulbenkian, are now in London.