Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

890F.51/34

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Alling)

[Washington,] July 2, 1941.

Participants:	Mr. Butler, Minister-Counselor of the British Embassy
	Mr. Murray

While calling today on another matter, Mr. Butler said that he had just had word from his Government that the ten million rials which the British Government was minting in India for King Ibn Saud would be given to the King without charge. Previously it had been expected that the Saudi Arabian Government would be asked to pay for these coins. Mr. Butler said that the bullion value of the coins was somewhere between one and a half million and two million dollars. He pointed out this was a further evidence of the desire of the British Government to assist the King and it was hoped of course that the United States Government could also see its way clear to offer financial assistance to Saudi Arabia.