Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

125.0090F/6: Telegram

The Minister Resident in Saudi Arabia (Moose) to the Secretary of State

Jidda, August 25, 1943—noon.
[Received 7:17 p.m.]

98. Department’s 55, August 19, 10 p.m. Request was made verbally to Acting Minister Foreign Affairs¹² on August 23 and following day he replied that Ibn Saud¹³ is reluctant to grant permission to establish American Consulate in Dhahran for fear it might prove to be embarrassing precedent in event of subsequent similar request from third government. This subject has not been mentioned to my British colleague,¹⁴ but I request authorization to do so since he is likely to learn about it from Saudi sources anyway.

Of course the situation at Dhahran is unique in Saudi Arabia and the King can scarcely fail to recognize that no parallel case is likely to arise. Should the Department wish to pursue the request further I suggest that my impending visit to Riyadh will be a favorable opportunity for further discussion.

Details by despatch.

Moose

12. Shaikh Yusuf Yassin.
13. Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, King of Saudi Arabia.
14. The newly appointed British Minister was Stanley R. Jordan.